Justice found Landmarks had authority mandate public access to interior landmark, and require that historic clock’s operation remain mechanical. The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the interior of the former New York Life Insurance Company Building, at 346 Broadway as an interior landmark in 1987. The designated space includes the “Clocktower Suite” inside a tower at the top of the building. A spiral staircase and machinery room for the four clock faces on the tower, … <Read More>
Search Results for: Oversight
HPD Proposes to Implement Extension of Existing 421-a Affordable Housing Tax Abatement Program
The “421-a Extended Affordability Program Rules” would provide a 10 to 15 year extension to eligible buildings enrolled in the program prior to its expiration. On March 14, 2016, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development proposed two agency rules to extend the 421-a real property tax exemption program for those who already had been benefiting from the program prior to its expiration in June 2015. The State authorized HPD to promulgate the new rules … <Read More>
Comptroller Releases Findings of Lost City Revenue in Audit of Department of Finance
The audit report reveals that the misclassification of 140 properties has deprived the City of $1.7 million annually in lost property tax revenue. On February 18, 2016, the Office of the NYC Comptroller publicized the results from its audit of the New York City Department of Finance. The audit sought to investigate whether the Department of Finance had implemented procedures that adequately safeguard against the misclassification of Brooklyn property sites. The Comptroller’s Office and DOF … <Read More>
Thirty of 95 backlogged items prioritized for 2016 designation votes
Some items will be removed from calendar due to political reality that designations will not be ratified by Council; others are found to be adequately protected so as to not require prioritization; others to lack significance that would merit immediate designation. On February 23, 2016, Landmarks made determinations on the disposition of 95 items added to Landmarks’ calendar before 2010, but never subjected to a vote on designation. In 2015 the commission had announced … <Read More>
City Council Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Mayor’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability Proposal
Testimony was heard on a wide range of issues spanning from decreased parking requirements to increased building height limits. On February 10, 2016, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposal. The hearing was held in the City Council Chambers in City Hall to accommodate the capacity audience.
CityLand’s Top Ten Stories of 2015
Welcome to CityLand‘s fourth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories, guest commentaries concerning New York City land use in 2015. Our fourth year as an online publication was marked by rezoning in East Midtown, the fight to renew rent stabilization protections in the City, proposed reform of the landmarking process, and capped by the first stage of review for Mayor de … <Read More>