Council Bill Proposes Increased Safety and Responsiveness Requirements for Tree Risk Management

On September 14, 2023, New York City Council Member James Gennaro introduced Int. 1169 to set stricter safety standards, timelines, and procedures under the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Tree Risk Management Program. The bill amends Local Law 20 – passed by the City Council on January 9, 2022 – that governs tree inspection and health assessments by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Pursuant to Local Law 20, a member of the general public … <Read More>


City Planning Announces NYC Street Map to Show Historical Information About City

On October 12, 2023, Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick announced that the NYC Street Map will now include access to the original street mapping of the City. Users can see the width, angles, and other dimensions of the City’s over 32,000 streets when utilizing the interactive map for requests to change their street, personal property interests, and to explore the history of the City.


Public Design Commission Announces Election of Deborah Marton as President

On July 18, 2023, Deborah Marton, Executive Director of the Van Alen Institute, was unanimously elected President of the NYC Public Design Commission (PDC). Marton, who served as a PDC Commissioner since 2020, will build on former PDC President Signe Nielsen’s legacy by reviewing City-owned property designs and advocating for innovative, sustainable, and equitable public spaces and civic structures citywide.


COMMENTARY: CityLaw Breakfasts Return to New York Law School

Here is welcome news. This Fall CityLaw Breakfasts will return to in-person breakfasts at the Events Center at New York Law School. Covid-19 compelled the Law School to go remote and the CityLaw Breakfasts followed into cyberspace. The Law School has in the interim rebuilt the sound and video systems in the large and comfortable Events Center on the second floor of the Law School. We will be back with in-person breakfasts this Fall.


Governor Announces Investment in Statewide Fair Housing Testing Program

On February 24th, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state-wide, $2.2 million investment in New York’s Fair Housing Testing Program. The expansion will be overseen and administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office. The purpose of the Fair Housing Testing Program is to increase investigations into housing discrimination and enhance education and outreach efforts for fair housing rights, including for individuals with a … <Read More>