CityLand’s Top Ten Stories of 2019

Welcome to CityLand‘s eighth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories concerning New York City land use in 2019. Our 2019 coverage was highlighted by articles concerning land use approvals for large scale projects, affordable housing proposals, and projects that faced pushback from local communities who were concerned about infrastructure, access to transportation and local resources, and affordable housing. We at CityLand <Read More>


City Planning Announces Updates to Zap Tool

City Planning continues to improve online platforms to involve and inform community. On December 17, 2019, the Department of City Planning announced two updates to the Zoning Application Portal (“ZAP”). The first update will allow Community Boards, Borough Presidents and Borough Boards to digitally calendar public hearings for land use items. The second update permits Community Boards and Borough Presidents to instantaneously upload their recommendations to the online portal. These two features are intended to … <Read More>


[UPDATE]: Council Approves Harlem Church Redevelopment with Modifications

Council makes modifications to include only MIH Option One and a partnership with JOENYC to fund repairs and renovations for existing affordable units in La Hermosa’s district. On December 19, 2019, the City Council voted to approve a land use application that will facilitate the construction of a new 30-story mixed-use residential and community facility building. The new building will replace the existing three-story La Hermosa Church building at 5 West 110th Street in Harlem, … <Read More>


[UPDATE]: Council Approves Modified Plans for East New York Mixed Use Development

The development will bring 503 permanent housing units, both affordable and supportive, to East New York. On December 10, 2019, the City Council approved a land use application for the development of four mixed-use buildings to replace a three-story homeless shelter at 515 Blake Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. The buildings will be a combination of residential use, commercial use, and community facilities. The land use application, submitted by the Department of Housing Preservation … <Read More>


Appellate Division Upholds City’s Sale of Bronx Waterfront Property

A Bronx not-for-profit sues City over the sale of waterfront property to a private developer. The City sold Pier 5 to a private developer to facilitate the construction of the Bronx Point development. Pier 5 is a 4.4 acre plot of land bounded by Mill Pond Park to the North, the 149th Street Bridge to the South, the Major Deegan Expressway to the East and the Harlem River to the West. The development anticipates … <Read More>


New York City Green Roof Laws Take Effect

Green Roofs and Solar Roof Systems should help buildings throughout the city maintain appropriate temperatures while cutting down on energy costs and emissions. On November 15, 2019, the Department of Buildings announced the effectiveness of Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019. Local Law 92 (Intro 0276) was originally introduced by Council Member Donovan J. Richards on January 31, 2018 and Local Law 94 (Intro 1032) was introduced by Council Member Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. … <Read More>