
Rendering of proposed Development at 979-985 Pacific Street Image Credit: City Planning
Community Board and Borough President in agreement about a slightly smaller zoning designation. On January 8, 2020, the City Planning Commission heard an application by EMP Capital Group to rezone a portion of two blocks fronting on the corner of Grand Avenue and Pacific Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The rezoning would help facilitate the development of a nine-story mixed-use building at 979-985 Pacific Street. The applicant is represented by Richard Lobel of Sheldon Lobel P.C.
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Ribbon cutting to open Stonewall House, the City’s first LGBT-friendly senior affordable housing development. Image Credit: HPD
The project is a part of NYCHA’s efforts to build 10,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade. On December 17, 2019, the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the opening of Stonewall House, a new LGBT-friendly affordable elder housing at 112 St. Edwards Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The project is the first elder housing in both the City and State to be designed as “LGBT-friendly.” (read more…)

Welcome to CityLand‘s eighth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories concerning New York City land use in 2019. Our 2019 coverage was highlighted by articles concerning land use approvals for large scale projects, affordable housing proposals, and projects that faced pushback from local communities who were concerned about infrastructure, access to transportation and local resources, and affordable housing. We at CityLand are excited to continue providing in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2020 and look forward to seeing what the year will bring. Thank you for all of your support and have a happy new year!
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One of the new advertisements that are a part of a campaign by the Mayor’s office to inform tenants of their rights. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants
de Blasio Administration educates tenants on Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. On October 21, 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of a campaign to educate tenants on their new rights under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The Mayor’s Office designed the advertisements to protect tenants and give New York City renters the information they need to hold their landlords accountable. (read more…)

Rendering of proposed development on Vernon Boulevard./Image Credit: Cipico Construction/CPC
The project will add privately owned public open space and local businesses to service residents and visitors of the neighborhood. On October 17, 2019, the City Council voted to approve the rezoning of an irregularly-shaped block bounded by Vernon Boulevard and Broadway to the north, 33rd Road to the south, 11th Street to the east, and 10th Street to the west in Astoria, Queens. The applicant proposed to rezone the block from a residential low density district to a residential medium density district. The rezoning would also allow for commercial use on the northern part of the block. The rezoning will facilitate the development of three mixed-use buildings which will have a combination of residential use, commercial use, community facilities, and open space. The block is currently occupied by a one-story garage and warehouse. Cipico Construction is the project’s applicant. On September 11, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the application. For CityLand’s prior coverage on this decision, click here.
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Agency officials, elected officials and project partners break ground on a new 152 unit senior housing development in Mott Haven. Image Credit: HPD/Joseph Lara
The project will bring 152 units of affordable and supportive housing to the South Bronx. On September 10, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance/Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (OTDA/HHAC), elected officials and project partners broke ground on “Betances Residence,” a new senior housing project. The project is located at 443 East 142nd Street between Willis and Brook Avenues in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. (read more…)