As City Council prepares to reconsider a controversial plan to expand inclusionary zoning across Pittsburgh, a legal battle unfolding in a district court threatens to strike down the policy — at least temporarily.

Inclusionary zoning, a housing strategy intended to increase Pittsburgh’s limited supply of affordable units, requires that portions of new housing developments are affordable for low-income residents.

The policy was introduced to Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville six years ago. It has since expanded into three more neighborhoods, drawing support from advocates who say it has upped the city’s affordable housing stock — and pushback from developers who counter that it increases costs and stalls new construction.

A new motion filed in an ongoing lawsuit over inclusionary zoning claims

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