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Pittsburgh may begin issuing permits online
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City residents and businesses would be able to get zoning permits and other government approvals over the Web -- instead of cutting through bureaucracy Downtown -- under a $1.3 million proposal submitted by the Ravenstahl administration today.
The mayor's office is proposing a contract with San Ramon, Calif., tech firm Accela to provide Web-based permitting for the city. The firm was one of nine bidders for the project, which would take 12-18 months to complete. Council begins debate next week.
In other action, Councilman Jim Motznik introduced a bill that would bar the Post-Gazette and other newspapers from tossing unsolicited advertisements onto city lawns. Mr. Motznik -- with the support of the Ravenstahl administration and the city Law Department -- said the advertisements amount to litter and should be prohibited.
Newspapers and other advertisers would be forced to leave materials on doorsteps or doors.
Council also gave final approval to long-debated plans to privatize the city tow pound. The pound will be operated by McGann & Chester Towing and will be moved to Mt. Washington, freeing the current Strip District site for redevelopment.
First Published April 28, 2009 12:51 pm
