South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a virtual Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Wednesday, Sept. 20th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to review a revised plan for 2 projects.
What:
- 2712 Burham Street Development: They are seeking a use variance with Zoning Board of Adjustment to have two single-family residential attached units (one in each parcel) in an R1D zoning district that only allows single-family residential detached.
- Arlington Recreation Center Mural: This is a community review for an art project on a city owned wall.
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Where: This will be a virtual Zoom meeting. The meeting zoom link will be sent via email to the SSSNA e-blast list before the meeting. If you do not receive it, please email info@southsideslopes.org to be added to the list or receive the Zoom meeting link.
For more information about RCOs and DAMs, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
Every year, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association holds five public meetings open to the community (two of which are parties!)
- Tuesday, March 14 – Board Elections & General Meeting
- Tuesday, May 9 – General Meeting
Meet the Candidates @ the Kollar Club (3226 Jane St., 15203)
Doors open: 6:30 p.m. | Candidate forum starts: 7 p.m. - Tuesday, July 11 – Summer Picnic
LaPalapa Food Truck @ Bandi Schaum Community Garden - October – General Meeting
Location: TBD - December – Holiday Party
Location: TBD
Meetings start @ 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. We will be updating meeting locations as we get closer.
All South Side Slopes residents are invited to attend. Join us to meet new people or reconnect with long-time neighbors, learn what is happening and planned for the community, and share your ideas, concerns and love for the Slopes.
In order to be a voting member of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, you must attend at least 2 meetings and/or events per year.
Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom for the October public meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association. Meeting agenda is listed below the Zoom information.
HOW TO JOIN
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Meeting ID: 812 5232 0973
Passcode: 527559
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Meeting ID: 812 5232 0973
Passcode: 527559
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MEETING AGENDA
1. Zone 3 Police Commander – Christopher Ragland (5-10 min.)
- Introduction and Zone 3 updates
- Q/A
2. Rep. Jessica Benham; PA House of Representatives 36th District (5-10 min.)
- State updates
- Q/A
3. Councilman Bruce Kraus; City of Pittsburgh, 3rd District (5-10 min.)
- District updates
- Q/A
4. Chrisarah Johnson; Office of the Mayor, Community Outreach (5-10 min.)
- City updates
- Q/A
5. Jamie Piotrowski; Pittsburgh Public School Board Member, District 7 (5-10 min.)
- Updates given by SSSNA board member
6. Committee Updates (10-15 min.)
- South Side Park
- StepTREK – 2022 review
- Beautification – Love Your Block Grant
- Outreach – Holiday Party
- Zoning
- Governance – Looking for new board members
7. Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
8. Adjourn
South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a virtual Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. to review a revised plan for a development project.
What: Desmone Architects & Abode Well Realty, Inc. will share significant updates to their 32 and 44 Pius Street development plans. The new plan proposed includes the demolition of the existing 44 Pius Street building and construction of a new building with a similar footprint, height and size, instead of the previous plan to renovate the 44 Pius Street building.
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Where: This will be a virtual Zoom meeting. The meeting zoom link will be sent via email to the SSSNA e-blast list before the meeting. If you do not receive it, please email info@southsideslopes.org to be added to the list or receive the Zoom meeting link.
For more information about RCOs and DAMs, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Wednesday, May 11th at 6:30pm to review one development project.
What: Hart Architects is constructing a single-family residence at 1035-1037 E Warrington Ave
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Where: This will be a virtual Zoom meeting. The meeting zoom link will be sent via email to the SSSNA e-blast list before the meeting. If you do not receive it, please email info@southsideslopes.org to be added to the list or receive the Zoom meeting link.
For more information about RCOs and DAMs, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Tuesday, April 5th at 6:30pm to review one development project.
What: Artist Carin Mincemoyer will present her artwork concept for South Side Park. Ms Mincemoyer is contracted for the Percent for Art commission as part of the South Side Park Phase 1 renovation.
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Where: This will be a virtual Zoom meeting. The meeting zoom link will be sent via email to the SSSNA e-blast list before the meeting. If you do not receive it, please email info@southsideslopes.org to be added to the list or receive the Zoom meeting link.
For more information about RCOs and DAMs, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
UPDATE: This Bylaws change was approved at a vote at the May 14, 2022 General Meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association. The updated Bylaws are now posted on our website here: SSSNA Bylaws
The Board of the South Slide Slopes Neighborhood Association is proposing a change to the bylaws of the association. This change to the bylaws regards the eligibility to be considered for board membership. It would more accurately reflect how we engage with our community and broaden the pool of potential board members.
Here is how Article IV: Members, Section 1. b. currently reads:
“Voting Members: those members eighteen (18) years or older who attended at least two public meetings in the past year.”
We propose that this sentence of the bylaw be revised to read:
“Voting members: those members eighteen (18) years or older who attended at least two public meetings, events, or activities convened by the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association in the past year.”
The entire current bylaws are available here: http://www.southsideslopes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SSSNA-Bylaws-UpdatedMarch2020.pdf
We, like many other for- and not-for-profit organizations, have experienced a shift in the way that we interact with our members – and the way that they interact with us. It’s clear that the pandemic has fundamentally changed how people are choosing to spend their time outside of family, work, and other obligations.
It’s important for us to understand and respond to these shifts. Expanding the pool of potential Board Members to more accurately reflect how the organization engages with the community – now, and going forward – will put us in a better position to achieve our goals. We see the challenge of attracting and retaining board members as a long term one – and this is the appropriate opportunity to make this small, but impactful change.
This proposed change will be published in the South Pittsburgh Reporter and on our website. The change was introduced to the membership at the March Annual meeting. We will have a discussion before a formal vote at our May 10th general meeting. This vote will be open to all board members and general members in good standing. If you have any thoughts on the topic in the meantime, please reach out to any of our Board Members in the meantime and let’s chat!
Thank you,
Blake M. McLaren
President of the Board – SSSNA
Topic: SSSNA Annual Meeting
Time: March 8, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time
The Zoom link is being sent over our e-blast. If you did not receive it, please email info@southsideslopes.org
Agenda Overview
- PWSA
- Stormwater Program and South Side Park Update
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Rep. Jessica Benham; PA House of Representatives 36th District
- State Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Councilman Bruce Kraus; City of Pittsburgh, 3rd District
- District Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Kitty Vagley; Friends of South Side Park
- Park Updates and Volunteer Opportunities
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Introduction of Proposed Bylaw Change
- Board Member Elections
- Retiring Board Members
- New Board Nominee Introduction(s)
- Vote
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTrek
- Beautification
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
- Adjourn
Topic: SSSNA General Meeting
Time: Jan 11, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6678005469?pwd=U1FVK0RBR2RGTnBhUUF1RU00QmMwQT09
Meeting ID: 667 800 5469
Passcode: 052167
Agenda Overview
- Friends of South Side Park
- Park Plans and Pump Track Design
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Rep. Jessica Benham; PA House of Representatives 36th District
- State Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Councilman Bruce Kraus; City of Pittsburgh, 3rd District
- Neighborhood Homeless Encampments
- 18th St. Lighting Updates
- Salt Boxes: City’s Snow Response
- District Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Thomas Scharff
- City of Pittsburgh, City Planner
- Q/A (5-10 in.)
- Jamie Piotrowski
- Pittsburgh Public School Board Member, District 7: Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTREK
- Beautification
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
- Adjourn
Every year, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association holds six public meetings open to the community (two of which are parties!)
- Tuesday, January 11
- Tuesday, March 8
- Tuesday, May 10 – IN PERSON! At Bandi Schaum!
- Tuesday, July 12 – Summer Picnic
- Tuesday, October 11
- ** NEW DATE! Friday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. – Holiday Party at Zenith. Learn more and register!
All meetings start @ 6:30 p.m. At this time, all meetings are being held virtually on Zoom. Zoom links will be published before each meeting.
All South Side Slopes residents are invited to attend. Join us to meet new people or reconnect with long-time neighbors, learn what is happening and planned for the community, and share your ideas, concerns and love for the Slopes.
In order to be a voting member of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, you must attend at least 2 meetings and/or events per year.
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Wednesday, December 15th at 6:30pm to review one development project.
What: LaQuatra Bonci Associates has completed the engineering and design of the ADA Trail proposed to run near the Bandi Schaum Community Garden
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Where: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6678005469?pwd=U1FVK0RBR2RGTnBhUUF1RU00QmMwQT09
Meeting ID: 667 800 5469
Passcode: 052167
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Wednesday, October 27th at 6:30pm to review one development project.
What: 1611 St Patrick Street Single Family Home
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6678005469?pwd=U1FVK0RBR2RGTnBhUUF1RU00QmMwQT09
Meeting ID: 667 800 5469
Passcode: 052167
You can also dial into the call by one of these phone numbers:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
For more information about RCOs and DAMs, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
Topic: South Side Slopes’ Public Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 12, 2021 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87294917213?pwd=dVE1R0M5MzdGMzh2WVpGOWI3ZUpTUT09
Agenda:
- Bruce Kraus
- District 3 Updates
- Misc. Info.
- Q/A (5-10 min)
- Jess Benham
- 36th District Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min)
- Recognized Community Organization (RCO) and Development Activities Meetings (DAM) Project Review
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTrek
- Beautification
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor : SSSNA in 2022
- Questions / Add. Announcements
- Adjourn
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Thursday, September 23rd at 6:30pm to review one development project.
What: 32/44 Pius St Development
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6678005469?pwd=U1FVK0RBR2RGTnBhUUF1RU00QmMwQT09
Meeting ID: 667 800 5469
Passcode: 052167
For more meeting details, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting.
When: Tuesday May 11, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom (via URL or phone)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6678005469?pwd=U1FVK0RBR2RGTnBhUUF1RU00QmMwQT09
Don’t have a laptop or smart phone? You can dial into the meeting: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 667 800 5469
Passcode: 052167
- Welcome
- Ways to connect w/ SSSNA
- Zoom meeting guidelines / Agenda Overview
- School Board Candidate Forum w/ Candidates Jamie Piotrowski and Khamil Scantling
- Cmdr. John Fisher: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Zone 3
- Introduction
- Zone 3 Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Rep. Jessica Benham; PA House of Representatives 36th District
- State Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Councilman Bruce Kraus; City of Pittsburgh, 3rd District
- 18th St. Lighting Updates
- District Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTREK
- Beautification
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
- Adjourn
When: Tuesday March 9, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom (via URL or phone) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89318503168?pwd=Sk9UZE9JdUZkcmFYN3JZSFhXVVhodz09
Don’t have a laptop or smart phone? You can dial into the meeting: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 893 1850 3168
Passcode: 651985
- Welcome
- Ways to connect w/ SSSNA
- Zoom meeting guidelines / Agenda Overview
- Julie Hecker; VP of Operations Mercy Hospital
- Pandemic and Vaccine Response/Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Cmdr. John Fisher: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Zone 3
- Introduction
- Zone 3 Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Rep. Jessica Benham; PA House of Representatives 36th District
- State Updates
- Jamie Piotrowski Introduction
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Councilman Bruce Kraus; City of Pittsburgh, 3rd District
- 18th St. Lighting Updates
- Speed Bumps: Salt Boxes
- District Updates
- Q/A (5-10 min.)
- Board Member Elections
- Retiring Board Members
- New Board Nominee Introduction(s)
- Vote
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTrek
- Beautification
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
- Adjourn
Who: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is hosting a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) on Wednesday, October 21st at 7pm to review one development project.
What: South Side Park Phase 1 Improvements – Presentation by Sara Thompson of Pashek + MTR
Why: SSSNA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) through the Department of City Planning to provide input and feedback on local development activities and planning procedures in partnership with community stake holders.
For more meeting details, visit https://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/dev-activities-meeting
SSSNA October General Meeting (via Zoom Video)
When: October 20, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom Virtual Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84837370248?pwd=UHZ5UFBlaGVSSU1pL1V6MUZPWTRPUT09
- Welcome
Ways to Connect w/ SSSNA
- http://www.southsideslopes.org/
- Email: info@southsideslopes.org
- Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/SouthSideSlopes
- PO Box 4248 – Pittsburgh, PA 15203
- (412) 376-7373
Zoom meeting guidelines / Agenda overview
- Zone 3 Police Update – Cmdr. Dixon to report on:
- Recent Slopes shootings : American Legion & Arlington Spray Park
- Zone safety
- Public safety resources
- Q/A (5-10 min)
- Bruce Kraus
- District 3 Updates
- Misc. Info.
- Q/A (5-10 min)
- Recognized Community Organization (RCO) and Development Activities Meetings (DAM) Overview
- Committee Updates
- South Side Park
- StepTREK
- Beautification : Garbage Olympics Report
- Outreach
- Zoning
- Governance
- Open Floor / Questions / Add. Announcements
- Adjourn
SSSNA Virtual Picnic Meeting – July 14, 2020 (via Zoom Video)
When: July 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Where: Zoom Virtual Meeting
- Welcome
- Ways to Connect w/ SSSNA
- Zoom meeting guidelines / Agenda overview
- Committee Updates – South Side Park, StepTrek, Beautification, Outreach, Zoning, Governance
- Raffle for Gift Cards to Giant Eagle & StepTrek sponsor Carson Street Deli
- Photo Montage of Previous Slopes Picnics and Events
- Open Floor / Questions / Additional Announcements
- Adjourn
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfumprzIqH9xyv16wh3gtgA71mVIvZVD-
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. All registrants who attend the meeting will be entered for a chance to win gift cards to Giant Eagle and Carson Street Deli.
Meeting date: May 12, 2020
Location: Online via Zoom
SSSNA President Blake McLaren opened the first-ever virtual meeting welcoming about 30 attendees on the Zoom platform.
Update from Commander Karen Dixon, Zone 3 Police
Zone 3 Police Commander Karen Dixon was the first presenter and said Slopes’ crime statistics were “unusual” due to the stay-at-home order. She reported in the first quarter of 2020 there were 28 property crimes and two violent crimes which is a decrease of 17.3% from 2019. In April, there was a decrease in calls, which allowed officers to more frequently check those areas where there are spikes.
Two shootings are under investigation: on Saint Paul St., and at Eleanor and Eccles streets. To a question if the shootings are drug related, the commander said she is unsure at this time.
An attendee asked if there were any officers infected with coronavirus, she said a few are isolated due to potential exposure.
Commander Dixon responded to a question about early morning gunshot firings in the park and said there were two shooters. Officers caught one, who was charged with reckless endangerment as a person who was camping had a shot fly over their head. ShotSpotter detection technology helped them identify the location of the shots.
Commander Dixon’s responded to participants alerting her to numerous camp sites under the P.J. McArdle Roadway on the way up to the Liberty Bridge. She will talk to the mayor’s office about it.
Update from City Councilman Bruce Kraus
City Councilman Bruce Kraus reported that the city is facing a $122 million shortfall in its operating budget due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent closures.
Kraus also brought up concerns about Airbnb incidents, including three shootings in the Slopes related to Airbnb venues. City Council and Pittsburgh Police are working on a solution together.
PennDOT construction safety improvement project on East Carson St has begun and will last 18 months. Kraus also reported that the Clean Team is in place on Carson St. to keep the E. Carson St. corridor maintained. He said $110,000 to $120,000 is spent each year and is funded by the Parking Enhancement District (PED), which receives money from South Side parking meters from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturdays.
He also reported that residents can find their polling location by going to: alleghenyvotes.com.
He gave an update on the 18th St. signals project for pedestrian safety—the RFPs will be completed in early 2021, with an April 2021 project start. The project involves 18th St. and the following cross streets: Brownsville Rd., Bausman St., Amanda St., Hays Ave., Arlington Ave., Pius St., Mission St., Josephine St., Jane St. and Sarah St. The traffic signals will also be upgraded.
A participant complained about speeding on Barry St. during afternoon rush hours. He said three speed humps have been suggested by a city traffic employee. Kraus said that more traffic driving through the area is due to web-based maps like Google Maps and Wayz.
An attendee asked about a condemned house at 18th and Pius streets. Kraus said a demolition used to cost the city $13,000 to $15,000. Today it costs the city more than $45,000 per unit, mostly due to federal regulations, such as for asbestos. This year, $2 million was budgeted by the city for demolitions, which covers roughly 10 properties. But the city has hundreds in need of demolition. He suggested the SSSNA prioritize the Slopes properties in need of demolition and send him a list of the top five. He will then take that list to the administration. McLaren told participants to email him the addresses of properties in need of demolition.
SouthWatch update from Barbara Rudiak, president of the South Side Community Council
Rudiak provided an update on South Watch, a group working to improve the quality of life on the South Side by bringing people and institutions together to identify code violations, advocate for their remediation and monitor outcomes. Meetings are held the second Wednesdays at noon or 6 p.m. at the Brashear Association, 2005 Sarah St.
Fundraising update from Kristi Rogers and Andrea Matthews of the Brashear Association
Rogers thanked the SSSNA for their $5,000 matching grant campaign that for the Brashear food pantry. In addition to the $5,000 from the SSSNA, Brashear raised $3,035 through Brashear’s Facebook page, $3,625 through its website and $820 in mailed-in donations. The South Side Community Council added another $1,000. There were also personal donations. Due to the pandemic, the food pantry was changed to a “Grab-n-Go” pantry. The average for the pantry had been 125 families. In April, 230 families were served – a 54 percent increase.
Matthews added that there is still a great need for canned goods, paper products, cleaning supplies and more.
Other updates: South Side Park and StepTrek
Jamie Balser said the park was awarded a $1500 block grant. He also said he was unsure if urban youth would be taught at the park this summer. There has not been a decision on whether GoatFest will take place this summer, but the goats are scheduled to arrive in July.
StepTrek, the annual walking tour of the Slopes and primary fundraiser for the SSSNA, celebrates its 20th year. StepTrek Committee chair Brian Oswald said that due to coronavirus, it will be run differently this year. While details will emerge closer to the event, there will be social distancing and other precautions taken to protect participants. Additionally, the sponsorship revenue is predicted to be lower this year.
Next general meeting: July 14 (virtual picnic on Zoom)
