Search Results for: City Council

Queens neighborhood down-zoned

Approval marks the fourth Queens down-zoning in 2005. The City Council voted unanimously to down-zone 40 blocks of Kissena Park, making it the fourth neighborhood in Queens to be rezoned by the Council in 2005.

The Kissena Park down-zoning responded to residents’ concerns over the demolition of structurally sound single-family homes and the construction of out-of-character developments in their neighborhood. As-of-right development within the 40 blocks will now be restricted to one or two-family homes.

BSA refuses to extend time to construct building

Owner argued that Buildings ordered a halt to excavation to prevent the 14-unit building from being grandfathered. On August 6, 2004, Peter Rendel of DNR Construction applied for a building permit to construct a 14-unit residential condominium building at 1150 Arden Avenue on Staten Island. Three days later, Buildings cited Rendel for removing trees without a permit and issued a stop-work order. Despite the stop-work order, Buildings issued the permit to construct the building on … <Read More>

40 blocks of Kissena Park down-zoned

Commission down-zones another Queens neighborhood. On April 13, 2005, the Planning Commission approved another of the Bloomberg administration’s down-zoning initiatives by rezoning 40 blocks of Kissena Park, a small residential neighborhood directly north of its namesake, the 235-acre Kissena Park.

The down-zoning, commenced at the urging of the Kissena Park Civic Association, would be the first rezoning plan passed since 1961 in this predominately one and two-family home residential neighborhood. Designed to match the context … <Read More>

Project Greenhope gets green light

UDAAP approved for transitional housing facility for formerly incarcerated women. On April 12, 2005, the City Council approved Project Greenhope’s proposal to construct a new seven-story, 49- unit transitional housing facility at 435 East 119th Street in East Harlem. Project Greenhope provides transitional housing and support services, including vocational, clinical and educational programs to formerly incarcerated women, as well as housing in-lieu of incarceration at its existing facility on East 119th Street.

The new 35,355-square-foot … <Read More>

Bushwick condemnation approved

City sought to acquire West Bushwick properties in phases. In 2001, the West Bushwick Urban Renewal Plan was approved by the Planning Commission, the City Council and the Mayor. In April 2003 the City began condemnation proceedings for phase one, filing a petition to acquire one lot. In October of 2004, the City began phase two, filing to acquire 18 lots. Owners of the lots challenged the petition, claiming that the City failed to follow … <Read More>

Anticipated Rezoning Approved with Changes

Affordable housing incentives, as well as height, massing and manufacturing zones, revised before approval. Over the disapproval votes of Commissioners Karen Phillips and Dolly Williams, the remaining members of the Planning Commission approved the rezoning of a two-mile area along the East River waterfront in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighborhoods after modifications were crafted to address public officials and residents’ comments.

The six linked applications, including text, map and City map amendments to create park … <Read More>