City Planning Commission Proposes Zoning Changes to Limit Overuse of Excessive Mechanical Voids

The proposal discourages clustering mechanical voids in a way that inflates building heights. On January 28, 2019, the CPC announced the beginning of public review of the proposed rezoning plan to limit the use of excessive voids that artificially inflate tower heights in residential buildings. Currently, these voids, or multiple floors of empty space, are not counted as zoning floor area in the Zoning Resolution.


City Planning Approves New Affordable Housing on NYCHA-Leased Land in Mott Haven

The building will feature supportive housing with in-building staff to provide services. On January 30, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve an application for the development of a 15 story mixed-use building in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The building will have approximately 100 residential units and will be located at 472-474 Willis Avenue between East 146th and East 147th Streets. The development site will be leased to the … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Senior Housing Development in Place of Run-Down Hospital

City Council is next to consider the proposed development, which will bring 135 affordable units for seniors as well as a new 14-story residential building. On January 30, 2019, the City Planning Commission unanimously voted to approve proposed redevelopment of the former parkway hospital building in the Forest Hills section of Queens. The applicant, Auberge Grand Central, LLC, is seeking a rezoning of two lots located between the Grand Central Parkway Service Road and 112… <Read More>



Landmarks Takes No Action to Designate Historic Church

Church removed from Landmarks calendar after complex history divides community members. On December 11, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a discussion about the 1st Spanish United Methodist Church located at 163 East 111th Street and Lexington Avenue in East Harlem. The Church was constructed in 1880 for the Lexington Avenue Baptist Church but was rebuilt in the mid-1960s after a fire destroyed most of the first floor. The Church was calendared in … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Proposal for New 40-Story Tower in Downtown Brooklyn

The development which requires a significant upzoning, special permit, and several building envelope requirement modifications will now proceed to City Council for review and approval. On December 5, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed mixed-use development at 570 Fulton Street, located within the Special Downtown Brooklyn District. The applicant, 570 Fulton Street LLC, is proposing to build a 40-story, approximately 202,000 square foot building containing a mix of office … <Read More>