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The public hearing to discuss the lack of development and vacant lots on Grandview Avenue will take place Wednesday at 1:30PM in City Council Chambers at 414 Grant Street (5th Floor). If you’d like to speak, you’ll be limited to three minutes and you must call ahead to be added to the list (call 412-255-2130).

If you’re going to speak or would just like some background information:

1. Learn about past development  initiatives on Grandview Avenue. Here are a few to get you started, but do check back at previous posts, Our Story: Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III for a more comprehensive list:

• Grandview Avenue project secures $250,000 in funding
• Desmone develops plans for Edge restaurant site
• Battle lines forming over Grandview Avenue development
• Grandview battles over bulk
• Judge oks tall Mt. Washington condos

2. Read about Public Realm Districts in the city zoning code. Grandview Avenue was designated a Public Realm District 14 years ago, which means that unique regulations provide a framework for whatever is developed in that area. According to 908.02B in the Code of Ordinances in the City of Pittsburgh, the intent of the Grandview Public Realm District is:

• To encourage new development of substantial quality, including commercial development, which shall address both the view and impacts on the regional public character of the site, as well as the neighborhood qualities of the area;
• To protect existing residential development and encourage new residential development that is consistent with the character of the community;
• To protect and enhance the district’s highly visible and well-known landscape resources, which are regionally significant.

3. Try and remember that development is not a black and white issue. It’s understandable why some long-time residents would be skeptical of developers since multiple lots on Grandview have gone undeveloped and virtually untouched for years, but not all developers are thoughtless speculators. Some developers are willing to work with the community for as long as it takes to make us feel good about what we’ll be living near. It’s up to us to ensure we don’t discourage the latter with a time-consuming and seemingly impossible process we’ve constructed to punish the former.