PA Supreme Court Sides with Fraternity

Timothy M. Burke, Manley & Burke

Pi Lambda Phi prevailed in its efforts to defend the zoning on its house in Pittsburgh even though the chapter is without recognition by the University. As reported in previous issues of Fraternal Law the University withdrew its recognition from the Pi Lambda Phi Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh. The City of Pittsburgh then took the position that because Pi Lambda Phi was no longer recognized by the University as a Fraternity it was no longer in compliance with the City’s Zoning Code.  That  code defined fraternity houses as being for students hut did not specifically require recognition by the University. The Pennsylvania Court of Appeals sided with the fraternity and on March 3, 1999 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused to consider the appeal filed by the City of Pittsburgh and thus allowed the Court of Appeals’ decision to stand as the final determination by the courts of Pennsylvania.¹

¹ For additional background on this matter, see the November 1997, September 1998, and January 1999 issues of Fraternal Law