City Planning Hears Application for Affordable Housing for Seniors and New Venue for Church in Soundview

The new building will enable the church to provide more services to the local community. On June 8, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application for a mixed use residential and community facility building at 1810 Randall Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The building, Casa de la Fe, will also hold a church. The applicants are the church, the Second Pentecostal Church of God La Hermosa, and <Read More>


Zoning for Housing Opportunity Amendment Aims to Address City’s Housing Shortage

Still in its early stages, Mayor Adams’ proposed zoning text amendment aims to increase affordable housing in the city. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan consisting of three citywide zoning text amendments. One of these initiatives, “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” addresses the city’s housing shortage. Although the text amendment has not yet been drafted, Mayor Adams listed four key housing proposals in his announcement.


Proposed Zoning Changes Cut Remnants of Cabaret Law “Foot” Loose

On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams announced his plans for three citywide zoning text amendments aimed to bolster small businesses, expand affordable housing, and reduce carbon usage in the interest of sustainability. The first of these, “Zoning for Economic Opportunity,” aims to remove red tape for small businesses and includes removing restrictions on dancing that survived the Cabaret Law’s repeal.


Council Approves Requirement for Self-Closing Doors Inspections

The bill is a part of the Council’s response to the Twin Parks tragedy this past January. On June 2, 2022, the City Council voted to approve Int. 208-A, a bill that requires increased inspections for self-closing doors in multiple dwelling buildings. The bill is sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams. Int. 208-A is the most recent in a series of bills passed by the City Council in response to the tragic Twin Parks fire <Read More>


City Planning Releases Report on Equal Access to Waterfronts for New Yorkers

The Department of City Planning found that underserved communities do not have easy access to New York City’s waterfronts, and thus lose out on the benefits granted from waterfronts. On May 20, 2022, the Department of City Planning released a report and map detailing New Yorkers’ access to New York City waterfronts. The report, Assessing New Yorkers’ Access to Waterfronts, discussed the need for an increase in access to waterfronts, particularly for underserved communities. … <Read More>


City defeats adverse possession claim

Trucking company fenced in and used City land that had been mapped as a City street. On July 27, 1967, the City condemned a parcel of land owned by the Filomio family and located at 3870 Boston Road in the Bronx. The City condemned the parcel, referred to as Damage Parcel 43, in order to complete a road expansion project. The family did not object to the taking and was compensated by the City. … <Read More>