Appellate Division Finds Architect Not Liable For Damages In Church Renovation

The suit was brought by owners of a neighboring building that was damaged in the course of renovating the church.  In 2001, the Church of God of St. Albans in Queens Village, Queens hired Harold Gebhard as design architect for a renovation of the church.  The project involved demolishing part of the existing church structure and replacing it with a new building.  During excavation of the building site in 2009, the neighboring building at 223-05 … <Read More>


CPC Approves Proposed Brooklyn Heights Library Redevelopment Plan, Council Review Next

Developer would build new public library on the ground floor of a mixed-use development and construct off-site affordable housing.  On November 2, 2015, the City Planning Commission approved the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ and Brooklyn Public Library’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure applications to reconstruct the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library on the base level of a mixed-use building.  A public hearing was held on the proposal on September … <Read More>


Community Engagement Begins for 86th Street Area BID Formation

The proposed Business Improvement District would be the 73rd BID established in New York City.  On November 6, 2015, City Council member Ben Kallos issued a press release regarding the launch of a push to create a Business Improvement District on East 86th Street in Manhattan.  The press release notes that a “District Needs Survey” was mailed out to community businesses, residents, and property owners last week.


City Council Holds Rally, Public Hearing on Illegal Hotel Legislation

The proposed laws seek to enforce existing State regulations by increasing illegal hotel fines and reporting requirements.  On October 30, 2015, the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings heard testimony on three proposed laws that seek to ramp up enforcement of state laws that prohibit the operation of illegal hotels.  The proposed legislation would regulate only those residential units located in multiple-dwelling buildings—not one- to four-family homes.  The proposed legislation is intended to address … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Parking Garage in West Chelsea

The automated garage will offer thirty-nine spaces within a mixed-use facility.  On October 21, 2015 the City Planning Commission approved a special permit for WC 28 Realty, LLC to construct an automated parking facility at 530 West 28th Street in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.  A public hearing was held on the application on September 22, 2015.  (See previous CityLand coverage here.)


Zoning for Quality and Affordability Program Sent to Community Boards for Public Review

The program would amend generation-old zoning regulations to encourage construction of efficient mixed-use buildings and affordable senior housing.  On September 21, 2015, the City Planning Commission issued a press release revealing two of the major programs to be implemented under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York plan.  The programs, which are currently making their way through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure process, are the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program and the Zoning for Quality <Read More>