On Oct. 31, after over a month of deliberation, the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Approval (ZBA) released their decision regarding a highly controversial proposed development. On a winding, two-way road that connects the neighborhoods of Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park, Canadian real-estate developer Craft Development proposed to construct an eight-story apartment complex on the site of what is a now-disused community center called the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh.
The project required several “variances,” or alterations of city zoning laws, to allow such a tall, high-density structure to be built on a site formally zoned as “Parks (P).” To receive such variances, Craft Development had to demonstrate that their proposed development was the only viable investment they could make into the site.
However, their request was denied.
The ZBA determined that Craft had not sufficiently proven the need for a structure of this size, claiming that Craft “did not submit any evidence as to the viability of using the property for any of the other uses that are permitted in P Districts, including a park use […] community center and single-family residential.” In other words, the ZBA believes that Craft could have proposed other lower-impact developments, but did not sufficiently explore these alternatives. “The Applicant’s conclusion that the property can only be viably used for a multi-unit residential use is not credible,” the board wrote.
The proposal received significant pushback from community members, and prompted the formation of a group known as “Frick Park Friends,” specifically aimed at stopping this development. The group raised concerns about increased traffic, as well as the environmental, hydrological, and aesthetic impacts of an apartment building located in a park.
The decision, released by the ZBA on Oct. 31, describes the minutes of an Aug. 3 hearing that was held specifically addressing the intense community resistance to this project. However, Frick Park Friends wasn’t the only citizen activist group involved.
Pro-Housing Pittsburgh is a grassroots activist group that advocates for development in the city. Their aim is to increase the amount of housing in the city, with the intent to drive up supply so that the cost of living decreases. Representatives from Pro-Housing spoke at the August meeting, however, the report argues that the members of this group did not provide “a direct, substantial or immediate interest in the application as an individual or on behalf of the organization.”
The hearing also featured substantial testimony from those opposed to the building. A representative from Upstream PGH, an environmental conservation group, spoke about the impacts this project might have on the Nine Mile Run watershed. Multiple individuals from Frick Park Friends voiced their concerns, as did Dr. Emily Mercurio, a geologist and professor at Duquesne University who spoke about the potential danger of a large development in an area with such steep slopes.
The proposed development at 6886 Forward Avenue will not be constructed, and the Irish Centre will remain the only major development in Frick Park.
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