Welcome to CityLand‘s fifth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories, and guest commentaries concerning New York City land use in 2016. Our fifth year as an online publication was marked by the fight to pass the Mayor’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing plan, proposed reforms to the building code to prevent illegal home conversions, and capped by the passage of state laws prohibiting Airbnb advertising in New York City. We at CityLand are excited to continue providing in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2017 and look forward to seeing what the year will bring. Thank you for all of your support and have a happy new year!
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Ross Sandler
The stunning 79-page federal complaint and arrest of Joseph Percoco and seven others by United States Attorney Preet Bharara focused on bribery and extortion, but the complaint also revealed a callous disregard of State conflicts of interest and procurement rules. These allegations were as serious as the federal criminal charges. (more…)
Christopher Rizzo
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has jurisdiction over both buildings and landscape features on landmarks sites. But the Commission rarely directly regulates changes to landscape features. For routine landscaping changes and in urban contexts, the landscape features are rarely a concern. In other cases the landscape takes on central importance. This is especially true where there where the existing landscaping and natural land features figure prominently in the beauty and importance of the site. In some cases the open space of the landmark site may be as important as the building itself, such as in Douglaston, Queens and Fieldston, Bronx. The Commission and its sister agencies should play a larger role in protecting the landscapes associated with the landmarked structures by acknowledging the importance of the landscaping at designation and later when new tax lots or proposed developments come before the Commission. (more…)
Welcome to CityLand‘s fourth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories, guest commentaries concerning New York City land use in 2015. Our fourth year as an online publication was marked by rezoning in East Midtown, the fight to renew rent stabilization protections in the City, proposed reform of the landmarking process, and capped by the first stage of review for Mayor de Blasio’s citywide zoning proposals. We at CityLand are excited to continue providing in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2016 and look forward to seeing what the year will bring. Thank you for all of your support and have a happy new year! (more…)
Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a 10-year affordable housing plan that set the tone for land use in 2014. Image credit: NYC.gov
Welcome to CityLand‘s third annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories, guest commentaries and profiles concerning New York City land use in 2014. Our third year as an online publication was marked by a new Mayor, a new Council, and a massive push to address the City’s housing shortage. We at CityLand are excited to continue providing in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2015 and look forward to seeing what the year will bring. Thank you for all of your support and have a happy new year!
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