Height and size of buildings reduced along West and Washington Streets in last-minute compromise. On August 16, 2006, the City Council approved modifications to the controversial four-block rezoning in North Tribeca initiated by private developer the Jack Parker Corporation to facilitate construction of a 260,000-square-foot residential tower on one block. The proposal called for the four manufacturing zoned blocks bounded by Washington, West, Watts and Hubert Streets to be given a commercial zoning – C6-2A and C6-3A – that would allow large residential buildings as-of-right with a 6.02 and a 7.52 floor area ratio. It proposed to increase the West Street height limit to 160 feet and 150 feet along the street wall, permit 20,000-square-foot retail spaces on West Street and modify the bulk regulations. The Planning Commission approved the proposal in July with one change; it left the street wall height along West Street at its original 102 feet. 3 CityLand 106 (Aug. 15, 2006).

Substantial opposition from residents and every elected official representing North Tribeca remained when the application reached the Council. Council Member Alan Gerson appeared at the August 14th hearing before the Zoning & Franchises Subcommittee, stating that he had “never seen such a screwed up, unfair, inconsistent process as this particular application.” Gerson explained that City Planning was in the midst of evaluating the entire North Tribeca area for a new, comprehensive rezoning. Gerson added that the Council would set a “terrible precedent that will come back to haunt us” if it allowed a private developer to precede a rezoning with a packaged plan tailored to its own needs. (more…)

A private developer sought to rezone four city blocks of Tribeca. Truffles, LLC applied for a zoning map amendment to rezone four waterfront blocks along the western edge of Manhattan’s North Tribeca neighborhood to enable construction of a 260,000-square-foot residential development at 88 Laight Street. Truffles also applied for a text amendment to increase the maximum streetwall and building height restrictions, and a special permit to replace an existing 43-space parking lot with a 180- space underground garage.

The area, bounded by Washington Street to the east, West Street to the west, Watts Street to the north, and Hubert Street to the south, is characterized by a mix of commercial, residential, automotive, and industrial uses. The two northern blocks comprise mainly low-rise and underdeveloped properties such as surface parking lots, automotive repair shops, warehouses, loft residences, and a restaurant, while the two southern blocks – both located within the Tribeca North Historic District – include 9- and 10-story residential buildings and an 11-story office building. (more…)