Commission Approves a Modified Willets Point Plan

 

Eminent domain supported if negotiations with local businesses fail. On September 24, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved a modified version of the Willets Point Redevelopment Plan, and sent the contentious plan to the City Council. EDC’s plan calls for the creation of the Special Willets Point District, an Urban Renewal Area designation, and a rezoning for the 61-acre area known as the “Iron Triangle” in Queens. 5 CityLand 57 (May 15, 2008).

The … <Read More>


CEQR,ULURP fees proposed for substantial increase

City Planning claims new fees required to cover costs. City Planning moved to increase fees for private applications made pursuant to the City Environmental Quality Review process and the City’s land use review procedure, ULURP. At the Planning Commission’s March 12, 2007 review session, City Planning’s Deputy Counsel Julie Lubin explained that the increase would be the first since 2002, and was meant to align fees more closely to actual costs. The increase, Lubin added, … <Read More>


Modifications to Greenpoint- Williamsburg Rezoning OK’ed

Changes included the addition of anti-harassment law and strengthening of height limits. In May 2005, after last-minute modifications, the City Council approved six land use actions related to a comprehensive redevelopment plan of a two-mile waterfront area along the East River and adjacent upland neighborhoods in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 2 CityLand 36 (Apr. 15, 2005), 2 CityLand 51 (May 15, 2005), 2 CityLand 67 (June 15, 2005). Public review of the proposed amendments identified … <Read More>


DOT Releases Final Rules for Permanent Outdoor Dining Program

Almost two years after the City Planning Commission’s zoning text changes, applications for the permanent program are expected to open next month. On February 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation released the final rules for the permanent outdoor dining program, “Dining Out NYC.”  Through the new program, outdoor dining will be expanded citywide on sidewalks year-round and in roadways seasonally from April through November. 


Community Boards Share Many Concerns Over Permanent Open Restaurant Program

Community boards in support and against the application had concerns about quality of life issues and community board involvement in future reviews. Last year’s Open Restaurants program was established to allow restaurants to operate sidewalk or roadway cafes without the extensive approval process to provide safe outdoor dining options during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the program was enabled through an emergency executive order that temporarily suspended the sidewalk café application process, a permanent program would … <Read More>


UPDATED: (11/10) – Community Boards Begin Vote on Permanent Open Restaurants Program Text Amendment

This tracker will continue to be updated as more community boards issue their decisions. Last year, the Open Restaurants program allowed restaurants to temporarily expand their operations to sidewalk and roadway cafes without the lengthy review process to provide safe outdoor dining options during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is currently valid through 2022, but a zoning text amendment currently in the public review process aims to make the Open Restaurants program permanent. For CityLand<Read More>