Wide cinematic view of three rivers meeting at dawn, soft amber light on water, muted blue bridge silhouettes, gentle haze over the horizon, shallow depth of field

Project Team

The Riverfront Zoning Amendment is led by staff within the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. The team coordinates the RIV District planning process, public engagement, and review of zoning text, maps, and performance point standards.

The Riverfront Zoning Amendment is steered by a small group of planners who translate the long-term vision for the riverfront corridors into the language of zoning code. Their work brings together the technical drafting of district boundaries, the study of building height and floor area standards, and the everyday logistics of public engagement. The aim is a coordinated framework that aligns land use along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers with broader city planning goals, while keeping the review process accessible to residents and property owners throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

Coordinating a project of this scale requires steady attention to both documents and dialogue. Staff prepare updated drafts of zoning text and maps, schedule hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council, and ensure that comment periods, testimony windows, and written submissions are clearly noticed. They also coordinate with partner agencies, including transit and planning partners, so that the proposed standards reflect current conditions and upcoming public investments. Outreach materials such as presentations, frequently asked questions, and performance standards are refined through each cycle of review.

Public engagement is treated as a continuous thread rather than a single event. Notices for hearings, community meetings, and council sessions are shared through the project website, posted updates, and email lists, inviting residents to register, leave comments, or submit written feedback. Materials include downloadable maps, draft documents, and presentation slides that explain the proposed base height, maximum height, and performance point system for each riverfront subdistrict. The goal is to give the public clear, timely opportunities to learn about changes before decisions are finalized.

The team also manages the flow of information between the planning office, elected officials, and the wider community. Meeting summaries, approved revisions, and next steps are published so participants can track how feedback has shaped the code. Coordination with the City Council, the Planning Commission, and county partners helps ensure that adoption follows a transparent process, with documented reasons for each change. Through this steady rhythm of drafting, reviewing, and revising, staff work to advance a zoning framework that supports thoughtful riverfront development for the decades ahead.

Andrea Lavin Kossis, AICP, LEED GA

Riverfront Development Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning

Coordinates the Riverfront Zoning Amendment project and serves as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and members of the public.

Phone 412.255.2223
Email andrea.lavinkossis@pghriverfrontzoning.com

Related Contacts

See the project home page for the latest RIV District updates, including the City Council approval on July 31st and amended height and easement standards.