Rendering of the new building at 98-81 Queens Boulevard. Image Credit: NYC CPC.

The developers agreed to seek deeper affordability prior to the City Planning public hearing. On January 19, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a rezoning application that would allow for the construction of a mixed use residential and commercial building at 98-81 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens. The rezoning site is on a triangular shaped block with 66th Avenue to the north, 99th Street to the east, and Queens Boulevard to the southwest, and extends each street. The project site currently features one- and two- story commercial buildings, including the Tower Diner and former Trylon Theater. Several of the businesses on the block have already permanently closed.  (more…)

Rendering of 1377 Sutter Avenue. Image Credit: NYC CPC.

The new building would replace non-conforming commercial buildings from the 1970s. On January 19, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application that would facilitate the construction of a five-story mixed use building with residential and retail uses at 1377 Sutter Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. The rezoning will affect six lots on the northern side of Sutter Avenue between Autumn Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. The project site is currently occupied by underutilized, non-conforming commercial buildings across two of the lots. The other lots in the proposed rezoning area are two-story residential buildings and houses. (more…)

The rendering of the New Providence Redevelopment. Image Credit: NYC CPC/HPD/DHS.

The new building will allow Project Renewal to continue to operate its shelter while also offering permanent supportive and affordable housing. On January 19, 2022, the City Planning Commission heard an application from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to facilitate the construction of a new 21-story building at 225 East 45th Street in East Midtown. The new building, which will provide supportive and affordable housing and an emergency shelter would replace an existing women’s shelter that is retrofitted into two buildings. Project Renewal currently operates the existing shelter, and is partnered with DHS for this application.  (more…)

Part of the rendering of 660 East Fordham Road. Image Credit: NYC CPC.

The building would be the first to offer inclusionary housing along this section of East Fordham Road. On January 5, 2022, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a special permit application for 660 East Fordham Road that would facilitate the construction of an eleven-story mixed use commercial and residential building in the Belmont section of the Bronx. The current site features a parking lot, and one-story underused commercial space, including a vacant tax office. The applicant is Sean Daneshvar, represented by Erik Palatnik, P.C. (more…)

Image Credit: NYC DOT.

The zoning text amendment now moves on to City Council for approval. On November 15, 2021, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the Permanent Open Restaurants Program zoning text amendment in a special public hearing. The proposed Permanent Open Restaurants program will transfer the control of sidewalk cafes to the Department of Transportation from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (formerly Consumer Affairs) and aims to create a more streamlined approval process for sidewalk cafes.  (more…)