The New York City Council Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed digital portal to centralize the information and paperwork necessary to open and run a small business. On June 9, 2022, the New York City Council’s Committee on Small Business held a public hearing on a proposed bill that would require the City to create and maintain the, “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal.” The Portal would be an on-line hub … <Read More>
Search Results for: Legislation
Assault Rifles and The Impact of New York State’s SAFE Act (REPRINTED FROM 2018)
***THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY RAN FOUR YEARS AGO IN CITYLAW*** The SAFE Act, the acronym for the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act – New York State’s January, 2013 omnibus gun control law – provides an excellent opportunity to assess the potential impact of maximally politically feasible gun control, an exercise all the more relevant in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. The SAFE Act did not have to be negotiated or compromised. … <Read More>
LPC Celebrates LGBTQ+ Landmarks with Interactive Story Map
Released in honor of pride month, the story map features significant places like the Stonewall Inn. On June 16, 2022, the Landmarks Preservation Commission announced the launch of “Pride: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Landmarks”. This interactive story map highlights individual landmarks designated by LPC for their significant contributions to LGBTQ+ cultural and civil rights movements.
Changes to Open Meetings Law Enable Hybrid Meetings But Present Ongoing Challenges
Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about … <Read More>
Proposed Zoning Changes Cut Remnants of Cabaret Law “Foot” Loose
On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams announced his plans for three citywide zoning text amendments aimed to bolster small businesses, expand affordable housing, and reduce carbon usage in the interest of sustainability. The first of these, “Zoning for Economic Opportunity,” aims to remove red tape for small businesses and includes removing restrictions on dancing that survived the Cabaret Law’s repeal.
Governor Signs Hotel Conversion Bill to Create More Opportunities for Permanent Housing
The new legislation allows hotels to house residents on a more permanent basis, specifically addressing the lack of available housing in New York City. On June 7, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law New York State Senate Bill S4937C. This affordable housing law allows hotels that are already authorized as Class B hotels to rent rooms for permanent residence purposes. State Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz sponsored this bill.