City Planning Commission Votes to Approve City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On March 6, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ three City of Yes proposals, is a collection of eighteen changes to the zoning text designed to remove obstacles for small businesses looking to expand and create more vibrant streetscapes. 


DOT Releases Final Rules for Permanent Outdoor Dining Program

Almost two years after the City Planning Commission’s zoning text changes, applications for the permanent program are expected to open next month. On February 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation released the final rules for the permanent outdoor dining program, “Dining Out NYC.”  Through the new program, outdoor dining will be expanded citywide on sidewalks year-round and in roadways seasonally from April through November. 


“City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” Amendment Enters Public Review

On October 30, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Director of City Planning Dan Garodnick announced the launch of the public review process for the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning amendment. The amendment is the second of three “City of Yes” proposals that aim to modernize or remove outdated provisions of the zoning text that limit the growth of housing, the development of small businesses, and the implementation of green technology, energy and infrastructure.


City Planning Announces Next Info Session on City of Yes Amendments

On September 5, 2023, the Department of City Planning announced further information sessions about the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The proposed zoning text amendment is part of Mayor Adams and the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes initiative to remove outdated provisions and revise the zoning text to enable the better growth of the economy, housing, and the use of green technology. The City of Yes for Economic Opportunity <Read More>


City Council Votes to Approve Outdoor Dining Plan

After a year and a half since the bill was introduced, the Council finally votes to create a permanent outdoor dining program. On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int 31-C, which establishes a permanent outdoor dining program. The program will allow sidewalk cafes to operate annually and roadway cafes to operate seasonally, with removable furniture and decor replacing solid dining shed structures. The program follows the temporary outdoor dining program that <Read More>


HPD Announces New Affordable Senior Housing in Crown Heights

On June 22, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced plans to develop 200 affordable senior homes in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The project, called Weeksvillage,  will be developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures (CHV) on underutilized NYCHA land within the Kingsborough Houses campus.