Solar Photovoltaic System Image Credit: DOB

Green Roofs and Solar Roof Systems should help buildings throughout the city maintain appropriate temperatures while cutting down on energy costs and emissions. On November 15, 2019, the Department of Buildings announced the effectiveness of Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019. Local Law 92 (Intro 0276) was originally introduced by Council Member Donovan J. Richards on January 31, 2018 and Local Law 94 (Intro 1032) was introduced by Council Member Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. on July 7, 2018.  The bills were approved by City Council on April 18, 2019, adopted by the administration on May 19, 2019 and returned unsigned by the Mayor the next day. These bills were introduced to provide buildings with insulation and combat heat island effect. Heat island effect has been tied to increased energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and deaths.

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Council Member Brad Lander sponsored Int. 1004, which establishes a pilot program creating legal basement apartments in East New York. Image Credit: Official NYC Council Photo by John McCarten

The program will bring currently illegal basement and cellar apartments up to code, and allow for additional basement and cellar apartments to be created. On February 13, 2019, the New York City Council passed legislation, titled Introduction 1004, establishing a pilot program which allows for the creation and alteration of habitable apartments in basements and cellars in one and two-family dwellings in East New York. The program seeks to address the lack of affordable housing within New York City. (more…)

Rendering of 461 Alabama Avenue. Image Credit: NYC CPC

The new building will have 43 apartments for formerly homeless individuals. On January 9, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an application for the development of a seven-story residential building at 461 Alabama Avenue in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. The City Planning Commission held a public hearing for the application on December 5, 2018. The applicant team consisted of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, CB Emmanuel Realty LLC, Services for the Underserved and Newman Design. (more…)

Hon. Jonathan Lippman speaking at the 158th CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLaw Center

The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, spoke at this morning’s 158th CityLaw Breakfast at New York Law School. Judge Lippman was introduced by Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law. Judge Lippman spoke on “The Closing of Rikers Island as a Catalyst for Criminal Justice Reform in New York.” Today’s CityLaw Breakfast was conducted in a “Q and A” format with questions by Greg Berman, director of the Center for Court Innovation. (more…)

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Time: 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Check In: 1:30PM to 2:00PM

Where: New York Law School, 185 West Broadway, New York, New York 10013

Credits: 3.0 Transitional and Nontransitional CLE credits – 2.5 in Professional Practice and .5 in Ethics and Professionalism (more…)