City Planning Considers Rezoning in the Bronx to Allow Nine Story Residential Building

City Planning staff recommend that the Commission adopt Borough President recommendation to reduce the size of the rezoning area. On December 19, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed redevelopment at 2712 Williamsbridge Road in the Allerton section of the Bronx. The applicant, 2712 Radcliff Yates Realty LLC, seeks to rezone to residential zoning with a commercial overlay a portion of an area comprised of seven lots bounded by Williamsbridge … <Read More>


City Honors Shirley Chisholm, First Black Woman to Serve in Congress, with Monument

Nominations sought to honor a woman committed to social reform and justice. On November 30, 2018, First Lady Chirlane McCray, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and the Department of Cultural Affairs announced the selection of U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first black Congresswoman and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, for a City-funded monument at the Parkside entrance to Prospect Park. Rep. Chisholm’s monument will be the first monument under the She Built <Read More>


Ballot Proposal Creates Commission To Assist With Community Board Land Use Guidance

Proposed Civic Engagement Commission would connect community boards with land use experts and training based on community board needs.  In February 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a Charter Revision Commission. The Commission began holding public meetings in April. On September 4, 2018, the New York City Charter Revision Commission released its final report on its recommended charter amendments. The final report discussed several topics, including land use and community boards. 



Two Far Rockaway Civic Structures Identified as Potential Individual Landmarks

Early 20th century buildings, a firehouse and police precinct house, reflect civic development of Far Rockaway. On March 13, 2018, Landmarks voted to add two buildings in Far Rockaway, Queens, to its calendar. The buildings are the Firehouse, Engine Companies 264 & 328, Ladder Company 13 at 16-15 Central Avenue, and the 53rd Precinct Police Station, at 16-12 Mott Avenue.  A seaside resort community through most of the 19th century, Far Rockaway was … <Read More>


New Local Law creates uncertainty for “as-of-right” development

Central to the concept of zoning is that a developer may rely on the text and build to the limits written into the zoning resolution.  The council has now tinkered with that expectation.  Under a new local law, the council can potentially overcome the “as-of-right” option by adopting a text change on an expedited basis.

The local law was a response to the controversial Two Bridges project, a proposal consisting of three residential towers … <Read More>