New York City Council Member Mark Treyger standing on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Image credit: Council Member Treyger’s Office

The City Council resolution has garnered unanimous support by the Council’s Members and other elected officials. On May 4, 2016, the City Council Land Use Committee will hear testimony on a resolution to urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the Riegelmann Boardwalk—most commonly known as the Coney Island Boardwalk—as a New York City Landmark. The resolution, sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Mark Treyger, is a way to protect the Boardwalk from physical alterations, which threaten to alter its historical character and physical nature.

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Zoning Therapy

For 34 years the City has required a special permit for physical culture or health establishments. This requirement burdens owners and operators of health clubs, gyms, spas and studios, even where such uses would otherwise be permitted as-of-right. With the elimination of the now-unlawful adult physical culture establishments, the purpose and usefulness of the remaining regulations place an unnecessary burden on legitimate small businesses and should be modified or eliminated entirely.

During the crime-ridden 1970s, regarded by some as the City’s nadir, the City Planning Commission enacted amendments to the Zoning Resolution distinguishing between “physical culture or health establishments” and “adult physical culture or health establishments.” As explained at the Commission’s public hearing, “zoning has proved to be the most effective tool in closing down houses of prostitution masquerading as massage parlors or physical culture establishments.” The Commission’s action, which followed a one year moratorium on physical culture or health establishments within the City, was approved by the Board of Estimate in early 1979.

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Image credit: New York City Council.

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. (more…)

The Jacob Dangler House. Image Credit: LPC.

UPDATE: (7/21/22) The developer began demolition on the Dangler House on July 21, 2022. CityLand will continue to follow this story as it develops.

The owner and a potential developer oppose landmarking, but many community members support saving the French Gothic mansion. On July 12, 2022, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing for the designation of the Jacob Dangler House as an Individual Landmark. Located at 441 Willoughby Avenue at the intersection of Willoughby and Nostrand, this Bedford-Stuyvesant mansion was calendared for consideration on June 7, 2022. (more…)

The Life Sciences sector has seen incredible growth in the NYC metro region. The Zoning for Economic Opportunity text amendment may change restrictions that make it easier for life sciences industries to expand and continue to grow. Image Credit: Tory Williams/EDC.

On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams outlined his, “City of Yes” initiative. This initiative is the next phase of his, “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent,” plan to stimulate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “City of Yes,” is built around a series of three as-yet-unwritten zoning text amendments to modernize and simplify zoning resolutions to encourage business growth, stimulate housing creation, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. (more…)