Judge dismisses Wilkinsburg annexation petition

An Allegheny County judge on Friday dismissed a petition that sought to initiate annexation proceedings for Wilkinsburg to be incorporated into the City of Pittsburgh.

The petition, filed on Sept. 29, was dismissed in a two-page order by Senior Common Pleas Judge Joe James.

In the order, James wrote that the only acceptable procedure for annexation comes from Pennsylvania’s constitution, which requires a referendum in which a majority of voters from each municipality approve the merger.

Attorneys for both sides did not respond to a request for comment.

Tracey Evans, the executive director of Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp., was one of the petitioners on the original filing to start the annexation process. She said the discussion has been ongoing for decades.

On Monday, she said they are reviewing their options.

“We continue to believe the best and most equitable path forward is giving Wilkinsburg voters the chance to vote and let their voices be heard,” she said.

The petition filed in September was signed by 1,243 registered voters who live in Wilkinsburg — twice as many as were needed. However, the annexation plan was opposed by Wilkinsburg Council.

In the original petition, those lobbying for annexation cited a 1903 law that they said established the process to pursue annexation.

However, in a response filed in court, objectors, including Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Member Pamela Harbin, argued that the 1903 law was no longer in force.

The judge agreed.

James found that the 1903 law was repealed by the Constitutional Amendments of 1968.

A previous petition request was voted down in February by Pittsburgh City Council in a 7-2 vote. Council members said they wanted more time to research the issue.

Those who support annexation said it would benefit Pittsburgh by keeping the city above 300,000 residents — above the threshold to qualify for certain federal grants — and would also provide additional services to Wilkinsburg.

But those opposed said it could impact the borough’s character and end control of some local services. Others have expressed concerns about gentrification.