On April 4, 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar three buildings connected to the growth of jazz music; 105-19 37th Avenue in Corona, Queens, which served as the home for famous trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie; the Hotel Cecil & Minton’s Playhouse Building in Harlem; and 935 St. Nicholas Avenue in Hamilton Heights, which was the home of jazz legends Duke Ellington and Noble Sissle.
Search Results for: Public Hearings
COMMENTARY: Could Landmarks Have Saved Dangler House? City Should Conduct Post-Demolition Official Review
On July 21, 2022, the Jacob Dangler House at 441 Willoughby Avenue in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, was demolished less than two weeks after the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing to consider its designation as an Individual Landmark. Despite the attempt by Landmarks to save the Dangler House by commencing the designation process, the Commission has been criticized for not acting quickly enough. Could Landmarks have actually done more?
Council Passes Utility Advocate Bill
On July 14, 2022, the City Council voted in favor of creating an Office of the Utility Advocate. The new office will receive communications from utility customers, conduct outreach, and represent customer interests at public hearings like utility rate cases. For CityLand‘s prior coverage of this legislation, click here.
Council Committee Holds Hearing for Utility Advocate Legislation
The new office would advocate for New Yorkers who struggle with utility companies, but some question if another office is necessary. On June 30, 2022, the City Council’s Committee for Consumer and Worker Protection held an oversight hearing to discuss recent utility rate hikes and Int. 372-2022, a bill that would establish an Office of the Utility Advocate within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The bill is sponsored by City Council Speaker … <Read More>
Changes to Open Meetings Law Enable Hybrid Meetings But Present Ongoing Challenges
Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about … <Read More>
Mayor Announces Appointments to New York City Districting Commission
The Commission will help with the redesign of the City Council district boundaries. On March 7, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced his seven appointees to the New York City Districting Commission. The Commission is responsible for redrawing council district boundaries as required every ten years by the City Charter following the national census. The redistricting helps the City Council reflect changes in demographics and population.