Friends,
 
I want to make you aware of some proposed legislation that is coming 
before
Pittsburgh's Planning Commission and City Council this summer.
 
Councilwomen Barbara Burns has proposed an ordinance amending the 
Pittsburgh
Code of Ordinances, Title None, Zoning, Article V by amending certain
provisions as they pertain to shelters, religious institutions and 
community
centers.
 
As I currently understand it, any new use of Church or nonprofit 
property
will require a) a permit to be issued and b) a public hearing to be 
held.
So if we at St. Andrew's were to host a new Narcotics Anonymous 
meeting, for
example, city approval would be required.  Existing use will be
grandfathered in.
 
The next steps of the process are:
1.  July 16th 2:30 pm - Public Hearing - Planning Commission
People are invited to speak on this issue for up to 3 minutes.  No
preregistration of speakers required.
 
2.  July 31st - Planning Commission Recommendation
This is also a public meeting.  The planning commission will decide 
whether
or not to make a positive or negative recommendation on this 
legislation to
City Council.
 
3.  Legislation returns to City Council - which must schedule a public
hearing
 
4. City Council Vote
If there was a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission, 
then
only 5 of 9 votes are required to pass.  If there was a negative
recommendation 7 of 9 votes are required to pass.
 
The current city zoning code is located here:
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/downloads/documents/newzoningcode.pdf
 
Questions can be directed to:
    Patrick Ford, Zoning Administration
    200 Ross St.
    412-255-2241
 
I invite you, whatever your opinion, to consider becoming involved, 
writing
or calling your councilperson and attending the July 16th hearing.
 
-Deacon Jean Chess, St. Andrews Episcopal Church