City Releases Master Plan for City Streets

On December 1, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman announced the release of the New York City Streets Plan. The plan’s purpose is to help guide road design and infrastructure for the next five years.


City Council Passes Legislation to Require Certain Agencies to Enable Inspectors to Issue First-Time Warnings

The bill enables inspectors to check if violations have been issued in the past. On November 23, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 167 B-2018, a bill aimed at providing small businesses with relief from hefty fines and penalties for certain violations by making it easier for agencies to issue first-time warnings. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Alan Maisel. 


City Planning Holds Public Hearing for Permanent Open Restaurants Program, Launches Design Public Engagement Process

Many residents and community board members complained of quality of life issues, including noise, trash, cigarette smoke, and loss of parking. On October 6, 2021, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for the Permanent Open Restaurants program. The Permanent Open Restaurants program will formalize a process for restaurants to operate sidewalk or roadway cafes in a shortened process. The proposed permanent program follows the popularity of the temporary open restaurants program, which was … <Read More>


DOB Announces Results of Construction Safety Campaign

DOB inspectors visited almost 7,500 constructions sites over the summer. On September 13, 2021, Department of Buildings Commissioner, Melanie E. La Rocca released the results of the new Zero Tolerance Construction Safety campaign, where Department inspectors swept construction sites citywide to check for proper safeguards. The campaign launched in early June following seven construction-related fatalities between January and May 2021.


Lead poisoning claim goes to trial

Parent of two and one-half-year-old child found with elevated lead levels sued landlord. On September 13, 2004, a two and one-half-year-old child was diagnosed with lead poisoning after a test revealed his blood lead level to be four times greater than the City’s guideline.  The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the child’s apartment located at 1727-29 Walton Avenue in the Bronx and discovered 47 positive findings of lead paint and 29 readings which … <Read More>


DOB Announces Homeowner Relief Program

Violations for illegal conversions or violations associated with injury or death will not qualify. On September 1, 2021, the Department of Buildings announced the first homeowner relief program in New York City to help property owners of one- and two-family houses. The program’s goal is to help small property owners avoid fines by giving them time to fix DOB violations. The program has education initiatives for homeowners about their legal requirements as property owners without … <Read More>