Church Seeks To Develop Affordable Housing Amidst Opposition From Residents

The 100% affordable housing development faced height and scale opposition by neighborhood residents. On April 11, 2018, the City Planning Commission heard proposals for the 142-150 South Portland Avenue Rezoning in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The rezoning is led by the Hanson Place Adventist Church, who seeks to develop a mixed-use residential building. The proposal will create a new 13-story building owned by the Church.  The plan will also allow for commercial use on the … <Read More>


State Senate To Provide Exception to Floor Area Ratio Cap for City Residential Buildings

A proposed State bill seeks to give City broad flexibility to increase floor area ratio in residential developments. The New York Senate has introduced bill S6760 by including language in their budget resolution that will amend the State’s Multiple Dwelling Law to provide an exception for the floor area ratio (FAR) cap. Currently, the law provides for a floor area ratio not to exceed 12.0 in New York City. The amendment will introduce language to … <Read More>


New Development To Include Elevator Access At Broad Street Subway Station

Mixed-use building seeks to add two new elevators to lower Manhattan subway station. On March 14, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a special permit for a proposed new mixed-use development at 45 Broad Street in the Financial District in Manhattan in connection with improvements to the Broad Street Station and the Wall Street Station. Applicants, Madison 45 Broad Development LLC, plan to build a 65-story condominium building in what is … <Read More>


City Planning Hears Plans For New Development In Area Lacking Residential Space

New industrial modern loft building for Bronx area scarce with residential options. On March 14, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a hearing on the Willow Avenue Rezoning application. The applicant, Markland 745 LLC, seeks to develop a mixed-use, mostly residential building on Willow Avenue between East 133rd and East 134th Street in the Port Morris section of the Bronx. The property is currently occupied by a three-story commercial office building and a single-story warehouse. … <Read More>


Community Board Recommends Zoning Protections For 14th Street Tech Hub Plan

Proposed zoning protections expect to preserve the residential area between Union Square and Astor Place from rapid developments. On February 28, 2018, Manhattan Community Board 3 unanimously voted to include proposed zoning protections for the 3rd/4th Avenue corridors between East 8th and 14th Streets in Manhattan. The corridors are one of the areas between Union Square and Astor Place that will be impacted by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Tech Hub Plan. The protections … <Read More>


New Special Permit for Self-Storage Facilities: An Imperfect Victory for Industrial Jobs Advocates

The final legislative session of 2017 saw an active NYC City Council scrambling to pass almost 40 bills before the term’s end.  Among these legislative actions was the passage of a zoning text amendment for the creation of a special permit that will limit self-storage facilities in NYC’s Industrial Business Zones (IBZ’s).  City Council’s vote in favor of the new special permit is a victory for the industrial and manufacturing sectors, albeit an imperfect victory … <Read More>