Amendment would tighten sidewalk cafe regulations within Harlem’s Special 125th Street District to address local congestion concerns. On June 7, 2011, the City Council’s Land Use Committee approved the Department of City Planning’s proposal to modify sidewalk cafe regulations within the Special 125th Street District in Harlem, Manhattan. The Special District comprises 24 blocks of East, Central, and West Harlem generally bounded by 126th Street to the north, 124th Street to the south, Second Avenue to the east, and Broadway to the west. All types of sidewalk cafes are currently permitted within the Special District, which was created in 2008 as part of the 125th Street rezoning plan to encourage local arts and entertainment uses, and to ensure that future development along the corridor respected the area’s built character. 5 CityLand 53 (May 15, 2008).

The proposed sidewalk amendment is a response to community concerns expressed during the Special 125th Street District rezoning’s public review regarding the impact of outdoor cafes on sidewalks with high pedestrian traffic. (more…)

Changes to zoning restrictions may enable more bars and restaurants to have live bands and dancing. Image Credit: CityLand/Cassidy Strong.

On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams announced his plans for three citywide zoning text amendments aimed to bolster small businesses, expand affordable housing, and reduce carbon usage in the interest of sustainability. The first of these, “Zoning for Economic Opportunity,” aims to remove red tape for small businesses and includes removing restrictions on dancing that survived the Cabaret Law’s repeal. (more…)

Mayor Adams announces the new proposed zoning text amendments. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The zoning text amendments are in development and will be drafted with input from stakeholders before undergoing public review later this year. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan for a series of new zoning text amendments and programs aimed at removing obstacles for the recovery of small businesses, increased affordable housing, and the expansion of green technology to promote sustainability. The three zoning text amendments – the Zoning for Economic Opportunity, Zoning for Housing Opportunity, and Zoning for Zero Carbon aim to reduce bureaucracy within the City’s zoning text to make room for the City’s continued growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)

On October 8, 2020, the Conflicts of Interest Board adopted new and important changes to its post-employment rules that restrict former City employees from contacting their former City agencies. The Board, in addition, on May 21, 2021, adopted rules relating to the acceptance of gifts by City employees in certain recurring situations. This article examines these new rules. (more…)

Some areas of Staten Island that would be affected by rule changes. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The changes allow homeowners to bypass the lengthy review process for certain types of projects. On July 2, 2020, the Department of City Planning announced new proposed zoning rules for some Staten Island neighborhoods that make zoning rules more efficient and homeowner-friendly, and that reflect recent advances in environmental science. (more…)