City Planning Seeks Community Input on Flood Resilience Zoning

The Department of City Planning is seeking input on special flood resilience zoning from residents of the City’s floodplain. City Planning released a video explaining their flood resiliency goals. Resiliency is the “ability to withstand, recover, and emerge even stronger after a storm.” The City has adopted a multitude of approaches that, in combination, make the floodplain more resilient. The City is increasing emergency services, building breakwaters and wetlands to reduce the force of waves, <Read More>


Council Members Raise Concerns of Climate Change and Government Takings at East Shore Rezoning Hearing

The proposed rezoning is intended to address high flood vulnerabilities on the East Shore by limiting future developments to low density buildings.  On September 5, 2017, the City Council’s Subcommittee held a hearing and voted 4-0 to approve the City Planning Department’s application to create a special zoning district on the coastal areas of Staten Island. The zoning map amendment and zoning text amendments would cover portions of the Oakwood Beach, Graham Beach, and Ocean … <Read More>


Pratt Center Study Outlines Solutions for Industrial Rezoning

Study discusses solutions for achieving the expansion of affordable housing without sacrificing high-paying industrial jobs. On May 8, 2015 the Pratt Center for Community Development released a study, “Making Room for Housing and Jobs”. The study analyzed the relationship between land use policies and the declining trend of industrial expansion across the city. The study also discussed the possible consequences of the Administration’s plans to add additional mixed-use districts which they hope … <Read More>


City Planning Commission Votes to Approve City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On March 6, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ three City of Yes proposals, is a collection of eighteen changes to the zoning text designed to remove obstacles for small businesses looking to expand and create more vibrant streetscapes. 


Mayor Appoints New Board of Standards and Appeals Chair and Vice Chair

On December 30, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Shampa Chanda as the new Chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) and Salvatore Scibetta as the new Vice Chair. The Board of Standards and Appeals hears individual applications for exceptions and changes to zoning regulations that may overly restrict specific properties where a broader change to the zoning text and map is unnecessary. 


City Planning Releases North Brooklyn Industry & Innovation Plan

The Department of City Planning released a comprehensive plan which seeks to update zoning and other land use strategies to stimulate spaces for new jobs and economic activity in the area. On November 19, 2018, the Department of City Planning released the North Brooklyn Industry & Innovation Plan which sets land use goals and tools for businesses in the area to promote growth and expansion. The Plan is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 10-point … <Read More>