City Planning Approved Enhanced Domino Plan with Greater Public Benefits

Unanimous City Planning approval followed behind the scenes deal between Mayor de Blasio and Two Trees Management. On March 5, 2014, the City Planning Commission unanimously voted to approve special permits and a zoning text amendment requested by Two Trees Management to transform the Domino Sugar Refinery into a 2,928,429 sq. ft. mixed-use development. The predominantly residential large scale development will include commercial and community facility uses. The City Planning vote followed an announcement by … <Read More>


Union Square Restaurant Affirmed Unanimously by Court of Appeals

Court found the agreement was a valid license and did not violate the public trust doctrine; Coalition hopes new Mayor will terminate license.  In March 2012, the City signed a licensing agreement with Chef Driven Market, LLC, (Chef) authorizing Chef to open a 200-seat seasonal restaurant in the Union Square northern pavilion. The Union Square Park Community Coalition filed an article 63 petition seeking a preliminary injunction against the City from enforcing the licensing … <Read More>


Midtown Seafood Restaurant, a Victim of Crane Collapse, Wins Right to Expand

Land Use Committee approved zoning text amendment needed to allow restaurant to occupy the second floor of a mixed-use building. On February 13, 2014, the City Council’s Committee on Land Use unanimously approved 17-0 an application filed by 945 Realty Holdings, LLC to modify Section 32-421 of the Zoning Resolution to facilitate the placement of 1,280 sq. ft. of commercial restaurant use on the second story of a four-story building. The restaurant, Crave Fishbar, … <Read More>


Silk Building Residents Oppose Broadway Development for Loss of Light and Air

Landmarks approved development project to be built on vacant lot in the NoHo Historic District: Project now before Planning Commission. On February 5, 2014, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application by Downtown Re Holdings LLC for special permits for a proposed mixed-use development located on 688 Broadway, between West 4th and Great Jones Streets in the NoHo Historic District. The special permits would allow Use Group 2 residential uses … <Read More>


SoHo Owner Seeks Permission to Convert Vacant Manufacturing Space for Retail Use

Special Permit would allow owner to rent out space for conforming use after vacancy of over one year. On January 22, 2014, the City Planning Commission held a public meeting for an application for a special permit for 110 Greene Street in SoHo, between Spring and Prince Streets, Manhattan.  The permit would allow the owner to convert portions of the cellar and first floor into Use Group 6 occupancy for retail use. The through-block site … <Read More>


Land Use Committee Approved Commercial Development to replace SoHo BP Gas Station [UPDATE: Full City Council Voted Unanimously to Approve]

New Land Use Committee unanimously approved a pre-considered application in its first meeting of the year. On January 30, 2014, the City Council Land Use Committee swiftly voted 20-0 to approve the development of a new seven-story commercial building in a lot currently occupied by a BP gas station in SoHo, Manhattan. The applicants, Paco Lafayette LLC, applied for a zoning text amendment and special permits to construct a new seven-story commercial building at 300 … <Read More>