City Council Approves Zoning Text Amendment for Permanent Open Restaurants Program

City Council still needs to pass legislation establishing the program. On February 24, 2022, the City Council voted to approve the zoning text amendment that will remove geographical restrictions where sidewalk cafes can operate across the city. This vote completes the first step in the creation of a permanent open restaurant program. 


City Planning and HPD Seek Public Feedback on New Equitable Development Data Tool

The tool aims to aid discussions and policymaking for creating affordable housing and preventing displacement. On February 22, 2022, the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the beginning of public engagement work for a new interactive tool, the Equitable Development Data Tool. The tool will allow users to examine housing, demographics, public health and other data, and compare that data across neighborhoods and racial and ethnic <Read More>


City Planning Approves Supportive Housing and Shelter Redevelopment in East Midtown

The new shelter replaces an existing shelter on site. On February 16, 2022, the City Planning Commission voted to approve an application from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) that will facilitate the construction of a new 21-story building that will provide supportive and affordable housing along with an emergency shelter at 225 East 45th Street in East Midtown. The new building will replace the existing women’s <Read More>


City Council Holds First Hearing on Permanent Open Restaurants Plan

Many elected officials raised concerns about DOT’s ability to handle the scale and capacity of a citywide permanent open restaurants program. On February 8, 2022, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a joint hearing with the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection on the proposed permanent open restaurant program. The proposed permanent open restaurant program will replace the temporary program and establish a new streamlined program for the creation, management and enforcement <Read More>


City Planning Hears Application for Mixed-Use Building in Rego Park

The developers agreed to seek deeper affordability prior to the City Planning public hearing. On January 19, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a rezoning application that would allow for the construction of a mixed use residential and commercial building at 98-81 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens. The rezoning site is on a triangular shaped block with 66th Avenue to the north, 99th Street to the east, and Queens Boulevard <Read More>


City Planning Holds Public Hearing for Five-Story Mixed Use Building in East New York

The new building would replace non-conforming commercial buildings from the 1970s. On January 19, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application that would facilitate the construction of a five-story mixed use building with residential and retail uses at 1377 Sutter Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. The rezoning will affect six lots on the northern side of Sutter Avenue between Autumn Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. The project site is currently <Read More>