DCP Announces New Zoning Relief Proposal for South Richmond Homeowners

May 8, 2023

On April 3, 2023, the New York City Department of City Planning announced its South Richmond Zoning Relief proposal after years of planning with Staten Island communities in the Special South Richmond Development District of the South Shore. The proposal will simplify the approval process for simple home projects that require zoning clearances, such as pool installations or other home improvements. The proposal will also enhance preservation efforts on larger land spaces and allow the … <Read More>

Council Passes Bill to Create Accessibility Advisory Board in Shelters

April 10, 2023

On February 2, 2023, the City Council passed Introduction 92 of 2022. The new law introduced by Council Member Diana Ayala will establish an advisory board to identify, report on, and advise on issues relating to accessibility at homeless shelters. Mayor Eric Adams signed the bill in Local Law 23 of 2023 on February 21.

Council Approves Bill to Report on Affordable Housing and Renters with Disabilities

April 3, 2023

On February 2, 2023, the New York City Council passed Local Law 25 of 2023. The new law was originally introduced by Council Member Diana Ayala as Introduction 375-2022A. The new law will require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to report every three years on how many of their affordable housing units set aside for and rented to persons with disabilities.

Proposed Council Bill to Translate Citizen’s Air Complaint Portal in Ten Languages

March 9, 2023

On February 2, 2023, City Council Member Alexa Avilés introduced Int. 898 at the full Council meeting. The bill would require the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to translate its Citizen’s Air Complaint Portal into ten, non-English “designated citywide languages.”

Mayor Announces New Landmarks Preservation and Public Design Commission Appointments

February 23, 2023

On February 22, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointments of three new commissioners to the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the selection of the Mayor’s representative for the Public Design Commission. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is the largest municipal preservation agency in the United States, responsible for the designation and protection of landmarks and historic districts in the city. The Public Design Commission has the jurisdiction over landscape architecture, art and permanent structures on City-owned … <Read More>

Toppling Christopher Columbus; Public Statues and Monuments

January 4, 2023

Christopher Columbus is in trouble. Political pressure to remove Columbus monuments most recently dates from 1992 during the preparations for the 500^th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage. The movement to remove the monuments accelerated in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.