01 Aug ‘We Want Pittsburg to Be Known for Something’: City Reviews Community Input on Zoning Plans

(Photo collage by Emily Molina / The CC Pulse file)

By Emily Molina

Pittsburg’s zoning ordinance team wrapped up a months-long community engagement process at a recent public workshop in which it reviewed residents’ suggestions for a more livable and lively town.

“We want Pittsburg to be known for something and be a destination,” said zoning ordinance planner Maurice Brenyah-Addow.

The zoning ordinance, along with the general plan, shapes the commercial, housing and social environment of the city by defining the use of buildings in Pittsburg.

In 2024, the city adopted the 2040 General Plan to review and revitalize the current building policies to meet the long-term growth of Pittsburg. As of 2022, there are 74,000 residents living in Pittsburg. The population grew by more than 13,000 people between the last two censuses and is projected to increase to over 100,000 by 2040.

No members of the public attended the recent workshop, which was held at 9 a.m. on a Saturday. (The only people in attendance were two City Council members, other city representatives and this reporter.) But that didn’t mean their voices weren’t heard as officials used the time to go over the input collected from previous workshops. That community feedback painted an outstanding need for destination attractions to draw visitors to Pittsburg and housing availability for current and future residents.

One thing that came up repeatedly was calls for more family-friendly spaces, such as the return of the farmers market to promote local shopping and opening an arts and crafts studios for all ages. Some also proposed river cruises to promote the Pittsburg Marina.

While the city’s long-running Seafood and Music Festival was canceled earlier this year, there is still an active social scene in Pittsburg, with car shows in Old Town, Eats and Beats food truck pop-ups at John Buckley Square, and the upcoming Wine and Art First Fridays at the Marina.

Suggestions to increase livability included increasing multi-unit housing throughout the city, starter homes for lower-income residents, and higher-density housing around downtown.

Longtime residents in previous workshops spoke about what they would like to see Pittsburg do to ensure a high-quality life, such as improving traffic congestion on major roads and putting grocery stores within walking distance in residential areas.

“As we improve the city, we want to make sure we’re not displacing the people who live here,” said Brenyah-Addow, reviewing the next phases of the ordinance, which is to present the suggestions in a report to the City Council in late fall.

For ongoing updates, visit  pittsburg.zoningcodeupdate.org.