Ten bills will be aired for public opinion to place restrictions on and revamp the processes of the Board of Standards and Appeals. On December 6, 2016, Council Member Ben Kallos introduced five new bills regarding the oversight and operations of the Board of Standards and Appeals at the City Council’s stated meeting. The Board of Standards and Appeals, which was originally created to be an independent board tasked with granting “relief” from the zoning … <Read More>
Search Results for: Department of Buildings Audit
City Officials Agree to Tougher 421-a Enforcement
The City Council, Public Advocate and administration officials agree that new measures should be taken to ensure 421-a compliance, proposed legislation is a good start. On November 22, 2016, the City Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings and Committee on Finance held a joint hearing on the City’s enforcement of 421-a requirements. The meeting also served as a public hearing for three proposed bills to strengthen enforcement efforts.
RECAP: The Rooftops Conference 2016
The Conference was filled to capacity with not-for-profit executives, real estate attorneys, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. On April 1, 2016, the Rooftops Project of the Center for Real Estate Studies at New York Law School hosted its sixth annual Rooftops Conference, which is a symposium for the not-for-profit sector focused on the role of real estate—owned, leased, or hosted physical space—in the operations, financial performance, and achievement of mission by not-for-profit organizations of all sizes … <Read More>
Public Advocate Investigation Reveals HPD’s Grossly Inadequate Oversight of Homeownership Programs
Investigation uncovers HPD’s 13 years of failing to enforce housing program requirements against developers and depriving the City of affordable housing and resources. On February 29, 2016, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James released a report on an investigation conducted by her office into 26 residential properties in Brooklyn. The 26 properties had been given to a nonprofit developer to be rehabilitated and resold, subject to affordable housing income restrictions, as part of the … <Read More>
Commission Approves 29-Foot Elevation of Palace Theater, an Interior Landmark
Renovations will allow for better utilization of space, according to applicants, while preservationists expressed concerns about fragility of early-20th-century Baroque theater. On November 24, 2015, Landmarks approved an application to raise the Palace Theater, an interior landmark, 29 feet within its current footprint, as well as conduct restoration work and other associated renovations. The original building in which the theater stood was demolished, and a new hotel built over and around the theater … <Read More>
HPD Commissioner Been Addresses New Affordable Housing Initiatives
HPD will permit architect self-certification and expand M/WBE developer opportunities. On October 7, 2014, Commissioner Vicki Been of the NYC Housing Preservation and Development gave the keynote address to the annual luncheon of Women in Housing and Finance. Commissioner Been elaborated on and announced new HPD initiatives to advance Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan.