Under new plan, City can opt to build High Line amenities in exchange for $2.3M developer fee. On September 5, 2007, the Planning Commission approved amendments to the zoning text for the Special West Chelsea District, specifically aimed at allowing the City to opt to build amenities for the High Line Park rather than waiting for developers to complete the construction.

Under the original text, developments adjacent to the High Line could receive a floor area bonus if the developer agreed to construct amenities for the High Line Park. Since the text’s approval in March 2006, the City grew concerned that developers might delay the High Line Park’s opening since construction of the amenities would correspond to the development’s construction timeline, not the park’s.

The amendments allow the City to opt to build the amenities in exchange for a $2.3 million payment from the developer. Under the new text, the City may reduce the fee amount if the developer incurred expenditures for site remediation work or other work needed for atgrade construction. The text change affects only one city block from West 17th to West 18th Streets between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues.

No one opposed the plan at the Planning Commission’s public hearing, and the Commission unanimously approved the change. The plan is now with City Council for its review.

Review Process
Lead Agency: CPC, FEIS
Comm.Bd.: MN 4, App’d, 30-0-0
Boro. Pres.: App’d
CPC: App’d, 9-0-0
Council: Pending

CPC: Special West Chelsea District (N 070498 ZRM) (Sept. 5, 2007). CITYADMIN