Office of Councilman Patrick Dowd, October 2009 New Legislation G20 Fact-Finding Committee. With the G20 behind us, Councilman Dowd has successfully called for a committee <http://legistar.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/detailreport/?key=12154> to review and gather information about the decisions made to host the G-20 and the costs associated with the event. The committee will produce an archive of documents for Pittsburgh and other cities to use in the future. News and Updates Tax Relief for Seniors! After many months on hold, Councilman Dowd's legislation simplifying the tax relief process for seniors has passed. Now, seniors only have to apply to the program once and the application form will be similar to the one used by Allegheny County. Check out the story in the Post-Gazette <http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09078/956714-53.stm> or on our website <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/> and please share with your elderly friends and neighbors. Cleaning up Car Lots. Councilman Dowd's legislation <http://legistar.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/detailreport/?key=12056> to improve screening and landscaping requirements for car lots was approved by the Planning Commission. It now comes back to Council for a final vote. More information on all legislation is available on our website <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/> . Heads-up on Development. Some large scale developments do not always require public notice. This technical amendment <http://legistar.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/detailreport/?key=12054> to the zoning code introduced by Councilman Dowd ensures that so-called "Planned Unit Developments" that have been on the shelf for more than 10 years notify adjacent property owners of any development applications. This month it received approval from the Planning Commission. District 7 Stats. In our 2008 annual report, we provided some statistics on the neighborhoods we serve. Check out our midyear update <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/html/09_midyear.html> . In the first six months of 2009, we've responded to nearly 550 requests for service! Upcoming Events Council to Go. October 16: Please join us in Lawrenceville from 7:30 to 9:00 am at Perk Me Up for Council to Go <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/html/council_to_go.html> . Perk Me Up is located at 4407 Butler St. October 28: From 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Councilman Dowd and staff will be in Morningside at the Morning Glory Café. Morning Glory Café is located at 1806 Chislett Street. Public Safety. October 13: The Zone 5 Public Safety Council is hosting a city-wide public safety meeting at the Lawrenceville Teamsters Temple at 4701 Butler Street at 6:00 pm. CHICKENS! Penn State Extension is hosting a public meeting on raising chickens in the City. Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 pm at 400 N. Lexington St., 3rd Floor. Call 412.473.2540 to reserve a seat. Did You Know? Planning and Zoning Hearings. Anyone can sign up to receive hearing agendas and notices by email from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment. Signing up is a great way to stay on top of small and large development projects taking place in your community. To receive hearing agendas by email, use the contact information below. Planning Commission: call 412-255-2473 Zoning Board of Adjustment: call (412) 255-2231 Art Commission: call (412) 255-8996 Historic Review Commission: call (412) 255-2243 To unsubscribe from Council District 7 updates, please notify Elaine Zelmanov at elaine.zelmanov@city.pittsburgh.pa.us and you or your organization will be removed from our contact list. --- ELAINE ZELMANOV | Chief of Staff Office of Councilman Patrick Dowd | Pittsburgh City Council District 7 City-County Building, Rm. 510 | 414 Grant Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel 412.255.2140 | Fax 412.255.2419 elaine.zelmanov@city.pittsburgh.pa.us <mailto:elaine.zelmanov@city.pittsburgh.pa.us> District 7 Schedule of Events Google Calendar <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/> | 2008 Annual Report <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/assets/2008-Newsletter.pdf> [pdf]