Pittsburgh Zoning Map - Baum Centre Zoning Overlay

By Carolyn Ristau

Introduction

Pittsburgh’s interactive zoning map includes many layers besides the zoning districts, most of which relate to requirements within or adjacent to the zoning code. For an overview on how to use the interactive zoning map, see our introductory post.

To select different layers, click the stack of paper in the upper right corner. The layers available are listed below. Today’s post features the Baum Centre Zoning Overlay layer, pictured above and in bold text below.

Zoning
- Zoning Districts
- Zoning Districts Outlines
- Zoning Max. Height Overlay
- Height Reduction Zone Overlay
- 1500’ Major Transit Buffer
- Parking Reduction Areas
- North Side Commercial Parking Prohibited Area
- Baum Centre Zoning Overlay
- Inclusionary Housing Overlay District
RCO (Registered Community Organization) Areas
City Divisions
- DPW Divisions
- Neighborhoods
- Council Districts 2012
- Council Districts 2022 (Current)
- Wards
Historic Preservation
- Mexican War Street Historic Boundary
- Individual City-Designated Properties
- Pittsburgh City Historic Districts
Environment
- RIV Riparian Buffer (125 Feet)
- Stormwater Riparian Buffer
- Floodplain Areas
- Landslide Prone
- Potential Steep Slopes Overlay Area
- Undermined Areas
Addresses
Allegheny County
City Boundaries
Imagery 2021

The Baum Centre Zoning Overlay

Overview

This layer of the interactive zoning map shows the area of the city that falls into the Baum-Centre Corridor. When this layer is clicked, the pop-up box simply confirms that the point clicked is within the boundaries of the corridor.

Relationship with Zoning

The Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District started as an Interim Planning Overlay District before becoming permanent regulations for development projects between Oakland and East Liberty along Baum Boulevard and Centre Avenue. The overlay was created for the stated purpose of counteracting mixed-use developments that were potentially detrimental to property values and utilized poor design inconsistent with the context.

907.02.H BCCOD Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District
907.02.H.2 Intent
The intent of the Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District is to create a regulatory mechanism in an area where substantial development growth is imminent and where both the impact of individual development projects and the collective impact of such development on public resources and private properties are not mitigated through the existing regulations of the Code. Specifically, the intent of the Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District is:
(a) To protect existing residential, commercial and office uses and encourage new uses that are complimentary to the context of the mixed-use nature of the Baum-Centre Corridor; and
(b) To protect and enhance the Corridor's architectural context, which includes building siting, massing, facade treatment, materials, proportion, and scale.
907.02.H.4 Applicability
In the Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District, every change of land use; every building demolition; every new, enlarged or reconstructed advertising sign; every new or enlarged parking area; and every structure erected or enlarged, with the exceptions noted in the following sub paragraph, shall, in addition to conforming to all regulations the Zoning Code, be in accord with an Overlay District Project Development Plan (PDP) of Sec. 922.13.C approved by the Planning Commission.
(a) Developments which do not require approval of an Overlay District Project Development Plan are:
(1) Structures involving exterior alterations not in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00);
(2) Residential structures that are proposed to contain no more than four (4) dwelling units; and
(3) Interior renovations.
(b) Plans and documents submitted as required by the Baum-Centre Corridor Overlay District Project Development Plan process shall be prepared in a manner set forth in submissions requirements established by the Zoning Administrator, and shall include but not be limited to, site plans, building elevations with construction material descriptions, landscaping plans with mixes and types of plant materials, lighting and sign plans, and planning studies as defined in Chapter 922 of this Zoning Ordinance.
(c) Development which is subject to Overlay District Project Development Plan review and approval shall comply with all requirements specified hereunder and with all applicable standards and criteria contained in the plans and policy documents adopted by the Planning Commission which were noted at the time of application for the Overlay District PDP.

In other words, any zoning application within this overlay requires review and approval from Planning Commission, unless it is for interior renovations, exterior alterations costing under $50,000, or residential structures of 4 or fewer units.

Challenges

Any project that requires review by the Planning Commission, or any other board or commission of the City, will need to budget additional time and fees for review and permitting. In addition to the time required for the Planning Commission to meet, review, and deliberate, if the project is also within the boundaries of a Registered Community Organization, a Development Activities Meeting with the community will be required at least 30 days prior to the first Planning Commission meeting. See our post on the RCO layer of the interactive zoning map for more information.

Conclusion

Start with Pittsburgh’s interactive zoning map to check if your project is within this overlay area. If it is within the Baum Centre Overlay and it meets the thresholds for Planning Commission review, use the map to check if it also is within the boundaries of a Registered Community Organization. If the conditions are met for Planning Commission review, make sure your project includes the appropriate documentation and has budgeted additional time for the review process. Additional documentation and time will be required if the RCO requirements also apply.