City Planning Commission Votes to Approve “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality”

On September 11, 2023, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment. The amendment is the first of the City’s three proposed City of Yes zoning text amendments to pass the City Planning Commission. The City of Yes amendments aim to remove or change outdated parts of the zoning text that hinder the development of housing, economic growth, or the implementation of green technology and infrastructure. 


DOT Announces Declines in Speeding, Injuries and Fatalities in Areas with Speed Cameras During First Year of 24/7 Enforcement

On August 28, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the results following the end of the first year of 24/7 enforcement of speed cameras. Previously, speed cameras were only allowed to operate weekdays from 6 AM to 10 PM. Around-the-clock enforcement started August 1, 2022 after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the change into state law. The legislation was sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick. 



Mayor Announces Expansion of “Big Apple Connect” to 17 New NYCHA Developments

On August 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Office of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Matthew Fraser announced the expansion of “Big Apple Connect” to 17 new public housing developments across Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The Big Apple Connect program provides NYCHA residents with a free bundle of high-speed internet, including equipment, basic cable TV service, and common area Wi-Fi hotspots. The program aims to enhance digital equity by enabling New Yorkers to have access <Read More>


Changes to Trash Set-Out Times Show Early Positive Impact on Rat Activity

On July 25, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams, Sanitation Department (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Director of Citywide Rodent Mitigation Kathleen Corradi announced that changing to later trash set-out times have had a positive impact on reducing rat activity citywide. Compared to the same period in 2022, the number of 311 calls made about rat activity citywide decreased by 20 percent from May to mid-July 2023, and the City’s four rat mitigation zones—Bronx Grand Concourse, Harlem, … <Read More>


Mayor and DOB Announce Overhaul of Sidewalk Construction Shed Rules

Sidewalk sheds stay up for an average of over 500 days, but some stay up for several years. On July 24, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo announced “Get Sheds Down,” an overhaul of the rules relating to sidewalk construction sheds (scaffolding). While the sheds are required for construction, facade inspections, and repairs, existing laws often enable property owners to leave up the construction sheds for a long time, and <Read More>