Extension of historic district approved despite challenges

West Chelsea Historic District. Image: Courtesy of NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Property owners unsuccessfully petitioned for exclusion. On October 23, 2008, after contentious hearings at the Landmarks, Public Siting, & Maritime Uses Subcommittee, the full Council voted to approve the designation of seven more blocks for the West Chelsea Historic District.

When the matter was before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, several property owners in the area expressed opposition to the proposal, or asked that … <Read More>

Council approves Waterfront planning legislation

New law requires DCP to file waterfront plan every 10 years. On October 7, 2008, the City Council passed a local law requiring the Department of City Planning to file a waterfront plan with the Mayor, the Council, the Public Advocate, the Borough Presidents, and the community boards by December 31, 2010, and to repeat the filing not less than every ten years thereafter. The purpose of the plan is to take into account the … <Read More>

Council denies sidewalk cafe permit

Avella not convinced that application errors were inadvertent, calls for investigation of architect. The owner of the Delano Cafe Lounge at 29-02 Francis Lewis Boulevard applied to the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit. The original application called for 36 tables and 72 chairs fronting on 29th Avenue and Francis Lewis Boulevard. After meeting with Community Board 7, the applicant agreed to reduce the application to 11 tables and 22 … <Read More>

Dutch Kills rezoning modified by Council

Dutch Kills proposed zoning. image: Courtesy NYC Department of City Planning.

Responding to business community concerns, the Council increased FAR in portions of Dutch Kills Subdistrict. On October 7, 2008, the City Council modified the Department of City Planning’s proposed rezoning for the Dutch Kills area of Long Island City, Queens. The plan impacts 40 blocks near the Queensboro Bridge, and establishes the 36-block Dutch Kills Subdistrict. To encourage new residential development and promote the … <Read More>

Alessandro Olivieri: Continuing a Family Tradition of Public Service

It should come as no surprise that Alessandro Olivieri, General Counsel for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, decided to leave private practice for public service. When asked about the career change he made a decade ago, Olivieri credited some of his most important role models — his family members. Pointing to a commemorative piece on his office wall containing photographs of the Hudson River and his maternal grandmother, Frances “Franny” Reese, … <Read More>

Ct. excludes tools from compensable trade fixtures

Court of Appeals reverses lower courts,finds that items may qualify as compensable trade fixtures when functional utility is reduced. After the City acquired title to Kaiser Woodcraft’s property through eminent domain, Kaiser’s appraiser valued compensable trade fixtures at about $577,000. The appraisal included several industrial woodworking tools, including a large table saw and several heavy duty hand tools. The City’s appraiser valued the compensable trade fixtures at $128,936, excluding many items on Kaiser’s list, noting … <Read More>