New Meals on Wheels Complex Approved after Revisions

Revisions to site plan made for more green spaces, while the buildings’ materials and design would better relate to the historic district. On October 20, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a plan to develop a new facility housing Meals on Wheels operations at 460 Brielle Avenue in Staten Island’s New York Farm Colony-Seaview Hospital Historic District. The site, currently empty, lies in the Seaview Hospital portion of the district. The Health and Hospital … <Read More>


DCP Initiates Public Review Procedure for Proposed Rezoning of East New York

The proposal would create new affordable housing, public parks, and other community improvements.  On September 21, 2015, the City Planning Commission began the public review process for the Department of City Planning’s proposal to rezone several neighborhoods in Brooklyn.  The East New York Community Plan would invest in the improvement of the East New York, Ocean Hill, and Cypress Hills neighborhoods of Brooklyn—represented by Community Boards 5 and 16—by adding affordable housing and community … <Read More>


Lawsuit Seeks Damages Over One Vanderbilt Agreement

Owner of Grand Central Terminal claims violation of property rights, seeks $1 billion in damages.  On September 28, 2015, Andrew Penson—the owner of Grand Central Terminal in the Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan—initiated a lawsuit against New York City for allegedly unlawfully taking Grand Central’s air rights from him for the benefit of SL Green Realty Corporation without just compensation, which is a violation of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.  The complaint … <Read More>


CPC Holds Hearing on Special Permit for Additional Residential Parking

The proposed parking facility would create 39 internal parking spaces for 36 residential units.  On September 22, 2015, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on WC 28 Realty LLC’s application seeking a special permit to build 39 off-street parking spaces attached to its proposed condominium complex for exclusive use by the condominium’s tenants.  The condominium, called the Jardim, is located in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.  The developers are allowed to … <Read More>


CPC Holds Hearing on Proposed Brooklyn Heights Library Redevelopment Plan

The proposed redevelopment would replace the current library with an upgraded library and luxury condominiums.  On September 22, 2015, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ and Brooklyn Public Library’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure application to redevelop the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.  The proposal would replace the current library with a new 36-story building containing a new library on the … <Read More>


BSA Renews Construction Permit in Rezoned Area

Board recognized a vested right to continue construction.  On June 16, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to extend a construction permit to the applicant, 180 Orchard LLC, for a twenty-four story mixed commercial- and community-use building at 180 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  The building will contain retail on the cellar and ground floors, community space on the mezzanine and second floors, and hotel use through the remaining … <Read More>