Two Staten Island neighborhoods down-zoned

Staten Island Council Member wins approval for down-zoning despite strong concerns of Commissioners Merolo and Phillips. Council Member Andrew J. Lanza, representative for District 51 on the south shore of Staten Island, sought two map amendments for the Eltingville and Tottenville sections of Staten Island, which would predominantly restrict new development to single-family homes

In Eltingville, Council Member Lanza sought to rezone 12 blocks bound by Richmond Avenue, Koch Boulevard, Hayes Avenue and Hylan Boulevard. … <Read More>


Closing Rikers Island: A Catalyst for Criminal Justice Reform

Former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, speaking at a CityLaw Breakfast on January 23, 2019, powerfully argued that the time has come to close Rikers Island, New York City’s notorious jail located on an island in the East River. Judge Lippman’s remarks echoed the 2017 recommendations of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform which Judge Lippman chaired. Judge Lippman spoke at the breakfast in a question and <Read More>


Mayor Announces Long Island City Chosen to House New Amazon Headquarters

The project will bring tens of thousands of new jobs, billions in tax revenue, and investment in infrastructure, City says. On November 13, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Amazon has selected Long Island City, Queens for one of its two new corporate headquarters. The City has been steadily increasing investment into Long Island City, with more than $2.4 billion of planned infrastructure investments and a recently announced $180 … <Read More>



BSA variance on Staten Is. residential site upheld

Appellate Division reverses lower court in a three-two opinion. GAC Catering Inc. purchased a one-family home on the corner of Otis Avenue and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, across the street from its catering business. GAC demolished the house, and applied to BSA for a variance from residential zoning in order to construct a two-story commercial building to be used as a photography studio in conjunction with GAC’s catering hall. In support of its application, … <Read More>


DOT Discusses Bike, Bus Priority Lane Future Projects as Congestion Pricing Begins Next Month

On May 2, 2024, Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydonis Rodriguez announced proposed bus priority and bicycle lanes and discussed existing projects as part of efforts to prepare for the start of congestion pricing, set to launch on June 30th. Under the newly approved congestion pricing plan, drivers will be charged a toll to go south of 60th Street; the toll aims to encourage people to use alternative means of transportation to alleviate what is currently <Read More>