Oakwatch Annual Report: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014 BY THE NUMBERS: 164: Submissions to 311 by members 17: Targeted properties returned to code compliance 20: Citizen Observer Patrol shifts 15: Disruptive party follow-up letters sent to property owners in partnership with Council President Bruce Kraus’ office. 23: Housing Court hearings attended 4: Attendees at Housing Court hearings 6: Zoning Board of Adjustment hearings attended 34: Attendees at Zoning Board of Adjustment hearings 2: Municipal Court hearings attended 4: Attendees at Municipal Court hearings SOME OF THIS YEAR’S SUCCESS STORIES: 53 Lawn Street: Reclaiming a vacant lot: This vacant, unsecured, debris-collecting, overgrown lot spent 28 months on the Oakwatch “Top 10” list. The case was particularly challenging because both owners had passed away and the property was caught in a complicated probate situation requiring relentless research and investigation by Oakwatchand BBI. OPDC was able to reach an agreement with the estate and has a sales agreement to purchase the property. OPDC hopes to build single-family housing on the lot, which is in the heart of South Oakland’s Oakcliffe neighborhood. 2852 Boulevard of the Allies: Revitalizing a neighborhood gateway: Located at a gateway into Oakland, this major plumbing company’s lot became a dumping ground for their old, broken equipment, and other debris. Despite multiple submissions to 311 for more than a year, residents felt their hands were tied when learning the company had been grandfathered-in by an old permit to use the lot in this manner. Oakwatch did some digging, and thanks to the hard work of BBI, learned that the company did not have all the proper occupancy permits. The Planning Department notified the property owner that he would have to re-apply for an occupancy permit. The owner contacted and worked cooperatively with OPDC to create an effective landscaping plan. In November 2013, the owner followed through and planted dozens of trees around the perimeter of the lot. The equipment is no longer an eyesore, and an Oakland gateway is now cleaner, greener, and more attractive. 305 Coltart: Developing stronger cooperation with landlords: A large disruptive property in January 2014 caused concern for neighbors when police showed up, spent thirty minutes dispersing upwards of 100 partygoers, but made no citations or arrests. University of Pittsburgh Police Office Cetra delivered a warning letter a few days later and had a conversation with the four young women living there about neighborhood expectations. OPDC and Councilman Kraus also sent the property owner a letter notifying them of the disruptive party. The property owner responded and spoke with tenants. Upon learning four unrelated individuals were residing in a single-family home, BBI sent a letter warning the property owner, notifying him that his property was in violation of over-occupancy code. Mr. Copetas did not know about the overoccupancy law, but came to the June 2014 Oakwatch meeting to express to the community his commitment to understand and uphold the law. There have been no reported disturbances since.
Strengthening enforcement of existing legislation: After the incident at 305 Coltart Street, Oakwatch investigated why police did not enforce the recently passed Social Host Ordinance. The ordinance holds party hosts accountable for serving alcohol to underage people. After months of conversations with Councilman Kraus, the Pittsburgh Police, and the City of Pittsburgh Law Department, Councilman Kraus happily announced at the June 2014 Oakwatch meeting that the Law Department has approved adding the Social Host legislation as an amendment to the Disruptive Properties Ordinance. This makes the Disruptive Properties ordinance stronger and more effective as another tool in our toolbox for reducing neighborhood disruptions. Through Oakwatch’s persistent lobbying on the issue, council worked diligently to prioritize the legislation’s enforceability. 244 Dunseith Street: Catching one of Oakland’s most wanted negligent landlords: The combined efforts of Oakwatch, BBI, and our District Magistrate Eugene Ricciardi, resulted in the arrest of one of Oakland’s most notorious negligent property owners. The individual owed more than $100,000 in past fines. He is finally working with BBI to abate the structural problems of his blighted “Top 10” property, and neighbors no longer feel like the property is a hopeless case. Mr. Wasserman continues to have progress hearings before Judge Ricciardi regarding fixing the property to align with city code and keeping the yard free of debris. BBI continues to report steady improvement. Street Sweeping Reform: After attending April 2014’s Oakwatch meeting and listening to resident concerns about Oakland streets not getting the street sweeping attention they deserve, Acting Supervisor of the 3 rd Division of the Department of Public Works, Jeffrey Koch, altered the sweeping schedule. Before, Oakland shared the third week of the month with the Hill District for street sweeping and oftentimes did not get finished. Now, Oakland is the only neighborhood swept on the third week. The Parking Authority issued 1,044 tickets to cars blocking street sweepers’ paths in April, and 653 in May. 3109 Forbes Avenue: Enforcing landscaping standards at a neighborhood gateway: Located at a neighborhood gateway, this site spent 18 months on the Oakwatch “Top 10” list. Despite a public community process to ensure the landscaping under the rebuilt Boulevard of the Allies bridge was well-designed and attractive, the owner removed the landscaping stones from publicly-owned property and illegally paved over the site to use it as a parking lot. After an extensive legal process involving BBI, Housing Court, the City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission, and the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, the property owner finally planted 11 trees and installed a fence along the site’s perimeter to comply with the design requirements set forth by the Planning Commission. While the owner was never held to account for encroaching on public property and the theft of landscaping paid for by our tax dollars, at least they were held to landscaping standards of the city.
Thanks to all of Oakwatch’s participants for a successful year! For questions or concerns, contact Alicia Carberry at 412.621.7863 x21 or acarberry@opdc.org.