Council holds hearing on industrial employment zone

 

Map showing current Industrial Business Zones. Image courtesy of Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses.

Proposal would add protections for manufacturing by requiring nonindustrial uses to obtain special permits. On September 18, 2006, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises held a public hearing on a proposal to create Industrial Employment Districts. Current zoning laws permit nonindustrial buildings, such as commercial or retail uses, in manufacturing zones, which can destabilize an area and … <Read More>


DOT Assistant Commissioner Kerry Gould-Schmit Talks About the Plan that Will Generate Over $1 Billion in Revenue

In May 2006, the Department of Transportation obtained final approval on a 20-year street furniture franchise, a plan that will bring over $1 billion to the City while it meets its main goal of providing more useful bus shelters, sleek news racks, standard-sized newsstands and for the first time: permanent public toilets. The plan originated from a 1992 experiment by the David N. Dinkins’ administration that placed four public pay toilets on city sidewalks but … <Read More>


Yankees Stadium construction proceeds

Court refuses to halt destruction of 377 mature trees. After the City approved the New York Yankees’ plan to construct a new stadium, Save Our Parks, a group of over 100 Bronx residents, filed an article 78 petition challenging the final environmental review and sought an immediate injunction to stop the Yankees’ plan to remove 377 mature trees.

Court refuses to halt destruction of 377 mature trees. After the City approved the New York Yankees’ … <Read More>


City’s approval ruled not binding on future owners

Five-story row house at 330 West 86th Street to be demolished. Photo: Kevin Schultz.

Restrictions in deed and Council’s approval do not restrict future owners. The City foreclosed on a deteriorated five-story row house at 330 West 86th Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive. The City, through HPD, sought to designate the lot as a UDAAP, an Urban Development Action Area Project, to allow for a quick sale without an auction or bidding … <Read More>


Injunction against DOB reversed

Staten Island civil court judge issued injunction against Buildings over C of O’s. In 2005, Judge Philip S. Straniere addressed a recurring issue in Staten Island where developers were failing to obtain final certificates of occupancy for new homeowners who, upon expiration of the temporary certificates, were unable to legalize their occupancy. Some of these homeowners, who had been cited by Buildings and ECB, sued the developers to compel them to obtain final certificates and … <Read More>


BSA’s decision on P.S. 64 upheld

Developer’s plan to build dorm requires connection to a local school. In 1999, the City auctioned off the lot at 605 East 9th Street, containing the former P.S. 64 building, to Gregg Singer by a deed restricting it to a community facilities use under the zoning code. Singer applied for permits to construct a 19-story “college or student school dormitory” with floor plans showing units with bathrooms and kitchens. Buildings objected, asking Singer to prove … <Read More>