NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 09/03/24

 

 

by Jeff Wice & Alexis Marking

REDISTRICTING

Onondaga County: County Legislative Map Challenge Moves To Trial

Background: After months of delay, the challenge to the 2021 Onondaga County legislature’s redistricting map is finally moving to trial later this month. In Ryan et al v. McMahon, the plaintiffs are challenging the GOP-drawn map over violations of the new criteria included in the state Municipal Home Rule Law.

In the litigation, the county defendants … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Green Fast Track Rule to Expedite Some Environmentally-Friendly Housing Projects

On March 20, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the Green Fast Track for Housing rule, a new rule to reduce the cost and time to approve certain modest and eco-friendly buildings by exempting them from review under the State Environmental Quality Review or City Environmental Quality Review laws. State law permits city agencies to have the authority to propose new rules that can allow certain projects to undergo a more streamlined process. 


City Planning Commission Certifies, Starts Public Review Process for Bronx Metro-North Station Area

On January 22, 2024, the City Planning Commission launched the public review of the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan. The plan compliments the development of four new Metro-North stations along the East Bronx in Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-Op City. The stations will be added to the New Haven line and are expected to open in 2027. 



City Celebrates the Council Approval of the South Richmond Zoning Relief Plan

On November 2, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick celebrated the City Council passage of the South Richmond Zoning Relief plan. The relief plan will simplify zoning procedures for homeowners in the Special South Richmond Development District on Staten Island. 


EDC Announces Public-Private Partnership to Build Film Studio Campus at Pier 94

On August 29, 2023, the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced a public-private partnership with Vornado Realty Trust, Hudson Pacific Properties, and Blackstone to build a studio campus at Pier 94 near Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. The Sunset Pier 94 Studios project will create a film and production studio as well as public amenities for Hudson River Park.