Tools for a Transit Oriented Community

Mt. Lebanon

From Plan to Practice

Mt. Lebanon Comprehensive Planadopted December 2000

• Movement of People and Goods Recommendations and Implementation Strategies

• Objective: Advance proposed local improvements to the regional transportation network that will allow residents to travel more efficiently and safely.

Specific Action Items

• Continue the efforts to establish a transit oriented district focused around the Mt. Lebanon T Station which would include high intensity commercial and employment uses along with moderate to high-density residential uses.

• Coordinate with the Port Authority of Allegheny County regarding future improvements at the T Station.

Specific Action Items

• Promote the development of the parcel adjacent to the T Station consistent with the Chan Kreiger Study.*

*1995 Strategic Plan for Washington Road

Mixed residential, office and retail

Zoning Ordinance UpdateSeptember 2005

• Planned Mixed Use Development District• Overlay• Specific purposes

Encourage private development activity in conjunction with public mass transit station sites

Reduce automobile transportation demand by locating housing near commercial and mass transit facilities

Zoning Ordinance UpdateSeptember 2005

Facilitate pedestrian circulation and access to transportation, shopping recreation, natural features and other amenities.

Provide a maximum choice in the types of environment and occupancy types and tenure

Uses

• Townhouse

• Multi-family

• Multi-family, Multi-story

• Any use authorized in the CBD

• Open spaces and recreation areas

• Child Day Care Center

Standards

• Site area one (1) acre• Area Standards 40% open space as a

percentage of total site area. This shall be deemed to include open space on levels other than ground level (*this is density control)

• Building Grouping buildings shall be oriented to insure adequate light and air, to avoid undue exposure to loading or Parking Facilities and to preserve visual and auditory privacy between buildings

Standards

• Building Height100 feet

• may be increased if one or more of the following is provided:

Sense of Place• Orientation of all Buildings to protect principal views through

the site.• Reduced Building volume at Building Heights above eighty (80)

feet.• Provision of a facility available to the public such as a public

observation deck at a Building Height above one hundred (100)feet.

• Provision of a Street level pedestrian plaza or other openspace accessible to the general public and containing one ormore features such as Gardens, fountains, sculpture or other artforms.

• Pedestrian connection between buildings, parking areas andmass transit stops.

• Subsurface concourse or bridge connection to other buildings.

ParkingTwo-Family Dwellings and townhouse Units shall have aminimum of two (2) Parking Spaces per Dwelling Unit of which one (1) shall be covered or enclosed.

Multi-Family Dwellings and Multi-Family, Multi-Story Dwellingsshall have a Minimum of One (1) Parking Space per Dwelling Unitwhich shall be in a Garage.

Parking requirements for Commercial Uses shall be as setforth in §817 of this Chapter. For Commercial Uses in whichapplicable parking ratios are established by reference to zoningdistricts, the ratios set forth for the Commercial Business Districtshall apply.

ParkingParking Space for the storage of residents recreational andOther Vehicles shall be provided and screened in accordancewith §816 & §817 of this Chapter.

The Commission may require such additional parking, loadingand service Areas for recreational facilities as shall be required tomeet the needs of residents and other potential users.

Parking facilities shall be designed to provide convenient, safe,secure access to the main structure. Access to residential unitsshall be protected from inclement weather conditions. Amaximum of one Garage is authorized for each Structure in whichThere is a residential use

Parking

Parking Facilities shall be designed to be compatible with the architectural character of the Planned Mixed Use Development. The imaginative use of walls, Fences, land forms and planting to screen Motor Vehicles is encouraged.

Open Space

Open space shall be designed to encourage:

• safe comfortable pedestrian movement• connection with nearby commercial,

residential and transit facilities• imaginative use of night lighting, benches

and other open space furniture, pavement textures, water fountains, art forms, shade structures and the like.

LRT Air Rights Meeting May 13, 2005

2:00 to 5:00 pm1. Presentation of Existing Conditions Drawings and Model (Barry/Jeff)2. Working Session on Possible LRT Infrastructure and Operational Enhancements3. Working Session on Possible Development Alternatives4. Next Steps

LRT Air Rights Public WorkshopJuly 12, 2005

1:00 to 5:00 pm

• The goal of this workshop is to share ideas for the Mt. Lebanon Station air rights project to ensure that the project is one that benefits the Mt. Lebanon community and all parties involved. The discussion portion of the agenda will be used to solicit public input and ideas related to a development project for the site and identify any issues or concerns related to these ideas.

• The concepts and visions developed at this meeting will serve as a basis for moving forward toward the drafting of a Request for Proposals for the project.

LRT Air Rights Public WorkshopJuly 12, 2005

1:00 to 5:00 pm

1:00 to 2:30pm Meeting with Mt. Lebanon Residents• a. Overview (Long)• b. Discussion

– I. Strengths– II. Weaknesses/Concerns– Ill. Visions/Refinements

3:00 to 4:30pm Meeting with Uptown Business Leaders• a. Overview (Long)• b. Discussion

– I. Strengths– II. Weaknesses/Concerns

Mt. Lebanon Air Rights Development ProjectPublic Meeting Comments

Vision/Uses:

• Retail on Parse way• Stage buses on Parse Way not on Shady• Residential Uses-mostly condo- no more retail• Grocery with parking• Create a pedestrian connection to the library• Pedestrian friendly retail• Offices• Mixed use – condos/apartments• Provide green space

Mt. Lebanon Air Rights Development ProjectPublic Meeting Comments

• Farmers market- permanent location• Theatre- multi use- movies-live theatre• Development should fit the character of the community• Create a sense of place• Everything you need within walking distance

Strengths:• Mixed use• Partnership with Port Authority is a plus for financing• Location• Potential for increasing tax base • Vitality of business district• If done correctly could be a model development for other

communities to follow• Reduced parking requirements due to proximity to transit

Mt. Lebanon Air Rights Development ProjectPublic Meeting Comments

Concerns:• Parse way appearance• Financing• Impact on existing homes on Shady Drive East• Traffic• Construction issues-noise, dust, disruption of services, access to existing

residences• Phasing• Compatibility-visual impact on Shady Drive East• Height• Role of Alfred Street-needs to be a better connector to Washington Road• Need for market study• Costs• No parallel parking• No “big project” look • Needs to integrate with existing businesses and properties• Parking

Questions and Answers