
Image Credit: DCP.
On September 11, 2023, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment. The amendment is the first of the City’s three proposed City of Yes zoning text amendments to pass the City Planning Commission. The City of Yes amendments aim to remove or change outdated parts of the zoning text that hinder the development of housing, economic growth, or the implementation of green technology and infrastructure. (read more…)

Rendering of 534 Coney Island Avenue. Image Credit: NYC DCP.
On August 23, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for the 534 Coney Island Avenue project, an application that would enable the construction of a mixed commercial and residential use building in the Flatbush and Kensington area of Brooklyn. The proposed building site is currently a fast-food restaurant. The applicant seeks to rezone part of the block surrounded by Hinckley Place to the north, Coney Island Avenue to the east, Beverly Road to the south, and East 8th Street to the west. Middle School 890 is located across Hinckley Place from the proposed site. (read more…)

Rendering of 244 East 106th Street. Image Credit: HPD/Ascendant Neighborhood Development.
On July 12, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a new supportive housing development at 244 East 106th Street in East Harlem. The site is currently a vacant lot on the south side of East 106th Street between Second and Third Avenues. The building is part of the ShareNYC pilot program where the city is exploring the creation and implementation of shared housing. Shared housing consists of housing units with two or more independently occupied rooms with a common kitchen and bathrooms. (read more…)

Rendering of 58 Nixon Court under the alternative R7A rezoning plan. Image Credit: CPC/Caliendo Architects.
The applicants are seeking an alternative rezoning after pushback from the community board. On February 1, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a mixed-use development at 58 Nixon Court in Gravesend, Brooklyn. The current site consists of four vacant lots between Nixon Court and Shore Parkway. Coney Island Hospital is located across Ocean Parkway from the proposed site. The applicants are represented by Erik Palatnik. (read more…)

An example from the Dept. of City Planning’s presentation, highlighting how a change to a facade for better insulation may be hindered by floor area ratio restrictions. Click to enlarge. Image Credit: NYC DCP.
Commissioners raised early questions about implementation and funding issues. On January 30, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a review session and overview discussion for the proposed Zoning for Carbon Neutrality amendment, one of the three City of Yes amendments proposed by Mayor Eric Adams last year. The Zoning for Carbon Neutrality amendment aims to reduce or eliminate unnecessary restrictions within the zoning text that inhibit a developer or building owner from using sustainable technology and design in their properties. While the official text of the amendment is not finished at this time, this hearing provided an overview about the goals of the amendment and highlighted common issues to be addressed by the amendment. Department of City Planning Director of Zoning Frank Ruchala presented the overview of the amendment to the commission. (read more…)