Commissions and Boards

Contextual Design Advisory Panel Members

• Eric Booth, AIA
• Bruce Chan
• Ryan Indovina, RA, LEED AP
• Greg LaForest, AIA, LEED AP
• Cassandra Osterman, AIA
• Peter Quintanilla
• Bob Reppe
• Claudia Saladin, ASLA, LEED AP

Design review is a collaborative process between City Planning and project's design team. Staff Design Review is the initial design review phase using information submitted by the applicant. City Planning staff develop a set of Urban Design Targets, which are tailored to the development proposal, the unique site conditions, and the neighborhood and context of the development. Staff work with the applicant to address the Urban Design Targets and to satisfy design-related zoning requirements.

During the initial Staff Design Review phase, City Planning staff will recommend projects for review by CDAP. CDAP review is voluntary, but highly recommended for some projects. The applicant will update the design to address the Urban Design Targets and incorporate the staff’s comments, in preparation for the CDAP meeting. At the meeting, the project representative presents and discusses the project, surrounding context, and design concepts. CDAP members ask questions and make recommendations to the project representative. 

Projects that CDAP may review range from building additions to multi-parcel developments. Staff evaluates each project and its surrounding context and determines whether CDAP review would be beneficial. This determination will be made early in the review process. The criteria considered include the size of the project, complexity of the design context, and impact on the public realm. Generally, CDAP reviews:

• Project Development Plans
• Final Land Development Plans
• Projects undergoing Site Plan Review

1. Revisions to any items previously submitted for Design Review
2. Site plan showing proposed project and surrounding context
3. Landscape plan showing surrounding context and proposed planting list
4. Building elevations showing surrounding context and proposed materials
5. When applicable, building sections showing site context
6. Perspective views and renderings showing project in surrounding context
7. Perspective views and renderings showing pedestrian context and sidewalk-level views
8. Items that address Staff Design Review comments and Urban Design Targets

The most common format used for CDAP meetings follows the below outline. City Planning staff will introduce the Panel, provide a brief project introduction, and then refer to the project team for a presentation. The presentation should include a project outline and discuss context and design-related concepts and goals. The presentation should focus on design review and does not need to discuss Zoning or DOMI related reviews unless related to the overall design goals.

• Project introduction by City Planning staff (5 minutes)
• Project presentation by project representative (10-15 minutes)
• General Panel discussion (30-40 minutes)

After the CDAP meeting, City Planning staff sends a summary of the comments to the applicant. The applicant follows up with staff and responds to the comments by updating the design accordingly. City Planning staff will summarize the Design Review, including comments from CDAP and subsequent revisions, to convey design feedback and guidance to the Planning Commission, as the final approval determines.

In some situations, projects will be reviewed twice by CDAP. At the second meeting, the project representative presents changes since the last meeting and provides additional visuals on the project as the design has developed. The second meeting may not be necessary for projects that meet the design objectives in the first full CDAP meeting.

In addition to the regularly scheduled CDAP meetings, CDAP also holds workshops. Less like a formal review, a workshop is a collaborative meeting. The project representative brings their project goals and current design to the panel members who provide design guidance. CDAP can help the project representative meet their objectives while helping to create successful urban spaces.

Historic Review Commission Members

• Lucia M. Aguirre, Chairperson
• Matthew Falcone
• Dave Green, Secretary, Director of the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections
• James Hill
• Katie K. Reed, Department of City Planning
• Karen Loysen
• Richard Snipe

Current year meeting agenda, presentations, and minutes are available on the City Planning Public Notices and Meeting Calendar.

For previous year's meeting presentations, please visit City Planning's YouTube page. You may also order a transcript of a meeting by calling Network Deposition Services at 412-281-7908. Network Deposition Services will charge a fee to access the transcript. Please have the meeting date available.

Planning Commission Members

• LaShawn Burton-Faulk, Chairwoman
• Rachel O'Neill, Vice Chairwoman
• Jean Holland Dick, Secretary
• Dina Blackwell
•  Steve Mazza 
• Mel Ngami
• Peter Quintanilla
• Monica Ruiz
• Phillip Wu

• New Construction and Renovations within seven districts when meeting certain cost and square foot thresholds or site conditions:
  • Downtown - Golden Triangle
  • Riverfront
  • Mixed Use
  • Public Realm
  • Planned Development
  • Baum-Centre Overlay
  • Steep Slope Overlay
• High Wall Signs
• Zoning Map and Zoning Code Text Changes
• Institutional Master Plans
• Lot Consolidations and Subdivisions
• Conditional Uses
• Historic Nominations
• Demolitions in certain districts and based on certain thresholds

Note: Certain projects will only require review at Hearing and Action, no Briefing required. These include High Wall Signs, Exterior Renovations Only, Historic Nominations, Neighborhood Gateway Signs, Single Family Homes, Demolitions, and other development types at Staff and Commission discretion.

Current year meeting agenda, presentations, and minutes are available on the City Planning Public Notices and Meeting Calendar.

For previous year's meeting presentations, please visit City Planning's YouTube page. You may also order a transcript of a meeting by calling Network Deposition Services at 412-281-7908. Network Deposition Services will charge a fee to access the transcript. Please have the meeting date available.

Public Art Committee

• Mikael Owunna, Committee Chair/Commission President
• Christine Bethea
• Anneliese Martinez
• Shaunda McDill

Civic Design Committee

• Megan Ziegler, Committee Chair/Commission Vice-President
• Ali Abdullah
• Lisa Carver
• Gerrod Winston

Over-The-Counter (OTC) review is conducted by City Planning staff for low-impact projects that meet certain eligibility criteria. Reviews are limited to proposed projects that will have a relatively minimal impact on the public realm. Projects may be eligible for Over-The-Counter approval based on the following criteria:

1. Replacements: Projects which replace the form or content of existing elements or fixtures in order to repair, improve, or update existing implementations. Replacements may be either of the following:

   • In Kind: Repair or replacement of existing elements or fixtures with identical products, or products of a similar aesthetic that have been slightly modified due to changes in cost, product availability, or updates.

   • Content: Changes made to written content or images in order to provide updated information, branding, or imagery which maintain the same overall aesthetic.

2. Negligible Changes: Projects that will have minimal to no impact on the public realm. Negligible changes may be either of the following:

   • Low Visibility: Changes or additions that cannot be easily viewed from public property or the right-of-way.

   • Minor change: Changes or additions that will not affect the general aesthetic of the site, would go unnoticed by a large portion of visitors to the site, or would be assumed by most viewers to be a standard element of City infrastructure.

3. City Standards: Projects that fit within the City’s established design standards.

4. Modifications: Changes to the design and/or aesthetic of projects that have previously been approved by the Public Art & Civic Design Commission.

To learn more about Over-the-Counter Review, please download the PACD Commission Manual. Applications for OTC Review are submitted through the PACD Commission Application form.

Current year meeting agenda, presentations, and minutes are available on the City Planning Public Notices and Meeting Calendar.

For previous year's meeting presentations, please visit City Planning's YouTube page. You may also order a transcript of a meeting by calling Network Deposition Services at 412-281-7908. Network Deposition Services will charge a fee to access the transcript. Please have the meeting date available.

How long does it take for the ZBA to issue a decision?

• The ZBA is part of the Zoning Review process. The Zoning Code requires a minimum 21-day posted notice period before a ZBA hearing. Following a hearing, the ZBA has 45 days to issue a decision.
• Link to Zoning Review process:

How is a ZBA hearing scheduled?

• Applicants to the ZBA are required to file a Zoning and Development Review (ZDR) Application, which is submitted online through the OneStopPGH portal. After the Department of City Planning has reviewed a ZDR application and determined that it requires a ZBA hearing, it will contact the Applicant to schedule a hearing date. For assistance with filing a ZDR application, contact zoning@pittsburghpa.gov. The $400 ZBA fee is assessed in addition to the base zoning review fees. Reference the Fee Schedule for information about other review fees. Fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether a request to the ZBA is approved or denied. Payment must be made prior to the hearing. Fees can be paid via credit card or E-check through the OneStopPGH portal.
• Link to OneStopPGH: 
• Link to Fee Schedule:

What is the public notification process?

• ZBA agendas are posted online on City Planning's Public Meetings Calendar and sent via email. To receive agendas via email, please zoningboard@pittsburghpa.gov

How will neighbors be notified?

• The Department of City Planning mails notice letters to abutting property owners. The ZBA also strongly recommended that Applicants contact neighbors and local community organizations in advance of a hearing. The Department of City Planning can provide contact information for relevant community groups. If a project is in an area with a Registered Community Organization (RCO), a Development Activities Meeting with the RCO may be required at least 30 days before the ZBA hearing.
• Link to RCO page:

What materials are needed at the Hearing?

• Applicants must provide:
  • A site plan which details the proposal
  • Evidence which justifies the approval of the request, in accordance with the Zoning Code’s approval criteria
  • Applicants who are not the owner of the property must be prepared to explain and document their authorization to pursue the request
• The Applicant must provide sufficient evidence to justify the approval of the request. All parties, Applicants and interested parties can present evidence to the Board. Helpful evidence may include:
  • Photographs of the property and the surrounding neighborhood
  • Elevations and detailed drawings of the proposal
  • Business or operational plans
  • Evidence that demonstrates how the proposal will affect the surrounding neighborhood
  • Evidence that demonstrates how the proposal does or does not meet the Zoning Code’s approval criteria

When will the ZBA decision be issued?

• After the record for a hearing is closed, the ZBA will issue a decision within 45 days. This decision is sent to the Applicant and all parties who testified at the hearing. Usually, the ZBA will close the record at the end of a hearing. Occasionally, for complex cases, or projects with considerable community opposition, the ZBA will keep the record open after a hearing to allow submittal of additional evidence.

What happens after a decision is issued?

• After the ZBA has issued a decision, the Department of City Planning will continue to review the application for compliance with Zoning Code. When the Department of City Planning determines that an application complies with the Zoning Code, it will issue a Record of Zoning Approval (ROZA). Once an applicant receives a ROZA, they may need to apply for additional permits from the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections.

Do ZBA decisions expire?

• A ZBA decision expires one year after it is issued. A permit should be obtained and substantial construction or occupancy should begin within one year of approval. If additional time is needed, An Applicant may request a one-year extension by contacting zoningboard@pittsburghpa.gov, and providing a brief explanation of why an extension is needed.

May the ZBA decision be appealed?

• Any affected party may appeal a ZBA decision to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County within 30 calendar days of the decision’s issue date. The appeal process starts at the Department of Court Records located on the main floor of the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street. A transcript of the ZBA hearing will be required. Appellants are strongly encouraged to consult an attorney.

Where can transcripts be requested?

• You can order a transcript of a ZBA hearing by calling Network Deposition Services at 412-281-7908. Network Deposition Services will charge a fee to access the transcript. Please have the case number and hearing date available.

Are ZBA agendas available?

• ZBA agendas are posted online on City Planning's Public Meetings Calendar and sent via email. To receive agendas via email, please zoningboard@pittsburghpa.gov

Are ZBA meetings public?

• ZBA meetings are open to the public are held virtually via Zoom or in-person in the Lower Level Hearing Room at 412 Boulevard of the Allies. Community members impacted by requests to the ZBA are encouraged to attend and present testimony. Visit City Planning's Public Meetings Calendar for more information on meeting agenda, times, and Zoom meeting links.

Are past ZBA decisions publicly available?

• To request a copy of a ZBA decision, contact zoningboard@pittsburghpa.gov