Staten Island Council Member wins approval for down-zoning despite strong concerns of Commissioners Merolo and Phillips. Council Member Andrew J. Lanza, representative for District 51 on the south shore of Staten Island, sought two map amendments for the Eltingville and Tottenville sections of Staten Island, which would predominantly restrict new development to single-family homes

In Eltingville, Council Member Lanza sought to rezone 12 blocks bound by Richmond Avenue, Koch Boulevard, Hayes Avenue and Hylan Boulevard. The area, which had been down-zoned in 1997, would be rezoned from a R3A to R1-2, allowing only single-family homes as-of-right and requiring 40-foot-wide lots. The Tottenville rezoning would cover 65 blocks bound by Arthur Kill Road to the north, the Arthur Kill to the west, Raritian Bay to the south and Page Avenue to the east. The current R3A district would be changed to R1-2 and R3X to restrict a portion to single- family homes and require large lots for any two-family homes. Tottenville had been contextually rezoned in 1995, 1996 and 1997. (more…)

Hon. Jonathan Lippman answers audience questions at the 158th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLand

Former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, speaking at a CityLaw Breakfast on January 23, 2019, powerfully argued that the time has come to close Rikers Island, New York City’s notorious jail located on an island in the East River. Judge Lippman’s remarks echoed the 2017 recommendations of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform which Judge Lippman chaired. Judge Lippman spoke at the breakfast in a question and answer format as a way to bring the audience into the conversation. Judge Lippman was questioned by Greg Berman, director of the Center for Court Innovation. A transcript of Judge Lippman’s passionate and persuasive remarks follows.

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From left to right: John Schoettler, Vice President for Global Real Estate at Amazon, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and Mayor Bill de Blasio at the November 13, 2018 Press Conference. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

The project will bring tens of thousands of new jobs, billions in tax revenue, and investment in infrastructure, City says. On November 13, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Amazon has selected Long Island City, Queens for one of its two new corporate headquarters. The City has been steadily increasing investment into Long Island City, with more than $2.4 billion of planned infrastructure investments and a recently announced $180 million investment for new schools, open space, and transportation. Long Island City is located across the East River from Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East Side, at the western tip of Queens. (more…)

Rikers Island. Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey, conversion to PNG by uploader (Herr Satz).

New borough-based detention facilities will provide on-site support services. On August 15, 2018, the De Blasio administration announced plans for four modern, community-based jails to replace the embattled Rikers Island detention facilities. In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to close Rikers Island. (more…)

Appellate Division reverses lower court in a three-two opinion. GAC Catering Inc. purchased a one-family home on the corner of Otis Avenue and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, across the street from its catering business. GAC demolished the house, and applied to BSA for a variance from residential zoning in order to construct a two-story commercial building to be used as a photography studio in conjunction with GAC’s catering hall. In support of its application, GAC claimed that commercial uses predominated the neighborhood, and that its broker was unable to sell or lease the property as a residence because of the heavy traffic on Hylan Boulevard. GAC also submitted an economic feasibility study indicating that development in strict conformity with the current residential zoning would not yield a reasonable rate of return.

BSA granted the variance, and Edward J. Vomero, a next door neighbor, filed an Article 78 petition seeking to annul BSA’s determination. Vomero argued that the hardship was self-created since GAC was aware of the residential zoning prior to purchasing the lot. Vomero submitted proof that a buyer had offered to buy the property for $415,000, and also claimed that because the property was bought for $275,500 and its market value had recently been appraised at $384,000, it was possible for GAC to receive a reasonable rate of return. (more…)