In September, the City of Pittsburgh passed an ordinance to create Registered Community Organizations (RCOs).
The legislation’s purpose: “It is the intent of the City of Pittsburgh to obtain informed and inclusive participation from as many neighborhood stakeholders as possible through the creation of a framework to improve cooperation between the various agencies and departments of the City and community organizations representing a geographic area or field of interest by improving the flow of information between these groups and the City, enabling such organizations to participate in civic affairs, and enhancing the livability and character of the City and its neighborhoods.”
OPDC recently submitted our application for RCO designation. We will continue to engage and inform the community about development proposals, planning initiatives, and policies – now we will be doing so according to the RCO ordinance. The RCO process also requires developers to adhere to neighborhood plans and engage in more robust community processes in partnership with registered organizations. As we have been doing, OPDC will work closely with resident organizations and with Coalition of Oakland Residents to coordinate input and continue to use a variety of means of communication – social media, website, e-news, flyers, etc. Please contact OPDC with planning and design review questions.
This legislation also enables the Department of City Planning (DCP) to adopt neighborhood plans. OPDC is pleased to announce that DCP has selected Oakland as one of the neighborhoods where they will focus resources in 2019 to complete a neighborhood plan for adoption. This is a great opportunity for our community to update our master plan for formal adoption by the city. Oakland 2025 is an essential tool for shaping the neighborhood’s future; through Oakland 2025, our community launched many important initiatives. However, a lot has changed in the neighborhood since the community finalized The Oakland 2025 Master Plan in 2012. With DCP and all stakeholders in Oakland, we will be seeking resident input about the plan update.
Having our plan formally adopted will make a huge difference in our ability to deter harmful development proposals that are inconsistent with the neighborhood vision. We will also be able to mobilize resources for plan implementation. Of course, for us to take full advantage of this opportunity and ensure the plan represents the community vision, we need everyone to be involved! We encourage all of our neighbors and community members to be part of this process and provide feedback on Oakland’s neighborhood plan so that it accurately serves our neighborhood. Stay tuned for more details about the process for 2019.
The first opportunity for residents to share their thoughts about the master plan update will be at our holiday party on December 10, 2018 at the Oakland Career Center from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Please join us!