Heavy Lifting: The Regulation of Health Establishments Under the Zoning Resolution

Zoning Therapy

For 34 years the City has required a special permit for physical culture or health establishments. This requirement burdens owners and operators of health clubs, gyms, spas and studios, even where such uses would otherwise be permitted as-of-right. With the elimination of the now-unlawful adult physical culture establishments, the purpose and usefulness of the remaining regulations place an unnecessary burden on legitimate small businesses and should be modified or eliminated entirely.

During the … <Read More>


Bayside health club rezoning approved

Image: Courtesy of NYC Department of City Planning.

Queens health club requested rezoning in order to apply for BSA special permit after operating without a valid certificate of occupancy for seventeen years. On January 18, 2011, the City Council approved Lucille Roberts Health Club’s rezoning proposal for five lots along Bell Boulevard between 42nd Avenue and the Long Island Railroad right-of-way in Bayside, Queens. The approval changed the area’s commercial overlay from C1-2 to C2-2, … <Read More>


BSA grants permit to controversial health care facility

Opposition included FDNY, S.I. Boro. Pres., Council member and Community Board. On August 14, 2007, BSA granted a special permit to Gregory Montalbano, allowing proconstruction to move forward for a two-story, 5,565-square-foot orthopedics doctors’ office at 82 Lamberts Lane in Staten Island. The site’s residential zoning limited medical offices to 1,500 sq.ft. absent BSA approval. The two-story facility would employ eight people and operate on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Montalbano would demolish … <Read More>


Ten-year permit for health and beauty spa granted

Spa allowed in cellar of building in Little Korea. BSA approved a special permit for a spa to be located in the cellar of an existing 12- story building on the north side of West 37th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan. The building, located in an M1-6 District, currently contains a restaurant, retail store, office space and manufacturing uses. Prior to seeking the special permit from BSA, the Department of Buildings granted … <Read More>


City Celebrates Launch of Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering

On April 15, 2024, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman, New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola, Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, Councilmember Inna Vernikov, CUNY Kingsborough Community College Interim President Suri Duitch, and community members celebrated the creation of the Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering. The goal of this office will be to keep New … <Read More>