Proposal to Limit Size of Banks and Other Storefronts in the Upper West Side Awaits Vote from Full Council [UPDATE: City Council Approves Proposal]

Banking group claimed proposed limitations on widths of new ground floor storefronts along Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, and Columbus Avenue unfairly discriminate against banks. On June 21, 2012, the City Council’s Land Use Committee approved the Department of City Planning’s Upper West Side Neighborhood Retail Streets proposal. The proposal would establish two Special Enhanced Commercial Districts in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and establish limits on the widths of new and expanding ground floor retail stores, … <Read More>


Brooklyn waterfront shopping center approved

Proposed shopping center on Gravesend Bay. Image: Courtesy of GreenbergFarrow.

Two-story retail complex on Gravesend Bay peninsula will feature BJ’s Wholesale Club. On September 21, 2011, the City Council approved Thor Equities LLC’s proposal to build a two-story retail development at 1752 Shore Parkway in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn. The 1,200-foot long project will be located on a peninsula in Gravesend Bay adjacent to the Belt Parkway. The 214,000 sq.ft. complex will include … <Read More>


Height limits for Astoria considered

Proposed Astoria rezoning map used with permission of the New York City Department of City Planning. All rights reserved.

Local Council Member and residents supported the proposed 248-block contextual rezoning, but two property owners requested modifications. On March 24, 2010, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on the Department of City Planning’s contextual rezoning plan for Astoria, Queens. The 248-block study area is generally bounded by 20th Avenue to the north, Broadway to the south, … <Read More>


Proposed Sullivan Street rezoning withdrawn

City Planning Commission indicated at its review session that it would disapprove proposed mid-block extension of commercial overlay. On February 24, 2010 the City Planning Commission announced that DJL Family Partnership withdrew its proposal to extend a C1-5 commercial overlay within an R7-2 district along the east side of Sullivan Street between Spring and Broome Streets. DJL planned to demolish a one-story, mid-block building occupied by two commercial businesses at 73- 75 Sullivan Street, in … <Read More>


Hearing held on limited Sullivan Street rezoning

 

One-story building at 73 -75 Sullivan Street in Manhattan. Photo: CityLand.

Opponents of mid-block rezoning expressed concerns about potential out-of-character commercial use. On January 6, 2010, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on DJL Family Limited Partnership’s proposal to extend a C1-5 commercial overlay within an R7-2 district on Sullivan Street between Spring and Broome Streets in Manhattan. The C1-5 overlay currently runs along Spring Street, and DJL requested extending the overlay approximately 175 … <Read More>


Wilhelm Ronda on the Bronx Borough President’s Office

Wilhelm Ronda applies a “small-town” approach to his duties as the Director of Planning for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Whether it’s identifying parcels of land for new schools, or taking steps to protect the architectural integrity of a neighborhood building, Ronda understands that these issues can profoundly affect the borough’s residents. For this reason, Ronda encourages his staff to treat each issue with the same “tender love and care” that a small town’s … <Read More>