burritoace t1_jd64i45 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:30 AM

Reply to comment by pittlawyer in Let's pour one out for the developers of Pittsburgh by PublicCommenter

Big developments are subject to more scrutiny than just basic compliance with the zoning code, and 5 or 6 planets for a city with numerous projects of this scale (and many smaller ones) is too few.

pittlawyer t1_jd66m6u wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:47 AM

I agree. They should have 4 times as many planners so it doesn’t take 6 weeks to get the first round of review comments. But, just follow the law and charge for the review they actually perform. Don’t just pick an arbitrary number that will get struck down immediately and have to be repaid with interest and attorneys fees. And to be clear, they don’t do much more than code compliance review and making design “suggestions” that aren’t enforceable.

burritoace t1_jd77hi3 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:13 AM

The process needs to be expedited and simplified but it is still important, and the developers don't deserve the benefit of the doubt here. I think it also makes sense for them to be a large funding source for the department. This fee may well be too high but I think the proper number is closer to the new fee than the old. And the fact that the city is again going to be subject to onerous legal proceedings over something like this is bullshit - another case of developers overpowering the city through sheer wealth. If it's so onerous the city should feel those effects in declining development, not bullshit legal wrangling. That's an additional cost for everyone, but the developers don't give a shit about that!

The review is also more complex than that, often requiring ZBA and CDAP review/approval outside of the normal staff review (which also includes cross-referencing with existing city plans, not just reviewing the zoning code).

YIMBYYay t1_jd82o5u wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:45 PM

It’s a self created problem for city planning. They have made such a complicated, convoluted, and often arbitrary review process that they need double the staff time to review projects than previously required. What did they expect when nearly every project had to go to ZBA, design review, planning commission, multiple community meetings, reviews by non governmental entities like GBA and Riverlife (how is that even legal?)…

Goodness forbid they streamline the process and lighten their work load.