The Zoning Board of Adjustment has rescinded approval of the site plan for a proposed Walgreens in Point Breeze, saying the plan violates the Pittsburgh zoning ordinance.

If Paradise Development Group wants to pursue the project at Penn and Braddock avenues, it has to submit a scaled-back plan -- within the confines of the commercially zoned parcel -- or apply to the Department of City Planning to have three residential parcels rezoned for a driveway.

In November, the planning commission approved the plan and a zoning administrator subsequently approved it without a hearing, though it included running a driveway through properties zoned for residential use, according to the board.

That led to formation of a citizens group, Greater Park Place Neighborhood Association, which hired attorney Arnold Horovitz to appeal.

In its decision last week, the board concluded that a driveway through residentially zoned property is not legal if its purpose is to serve "an abutting commercial use parcel." The plan called for all but the driveway -- the building, a two-way lane for a drive-up window and parking for 34 cars -- to sit on property zoned commercial.

Late last year, Paradise Development requested a zoning variance and special exception for the driveway, which would replace three houses, one on East End Avenue and two on Braddock Avenue.

John Mayberry, president of the neighborhood association, said at the time that the group did not oppose the Walgreens but would fight losing any residential land to it.

"We feel that extending the commercial zone further into a residential zone will adversely affect the character and nature of the neighborhood and lead to an erosion" of homeowner stability, because some residents might decide to move and sell to absentee landlords, he said.

Paradise officials could not be reached yesterday. Company representatives are expected to address the zoning issue at a March 21 hearing of the planning commission.

Mr. Mayberry said his group will testify and that if the planning commission recommends rezoning the properties, "we will be at City Council, too" to oppose it.