
Council Member Carlos Menchaca speaks in opposition to the Industry City application at the Subcommittee hearing on September 15, 2020. Image Credit: NY City Council
Many elected officials questioned whether the developers could follow through on promises of job creation. On September 22, 2020, the developers of the proposed Industry City Rezoning pulled their application after receiving opposition from many elected officials and community members. Industry City is a 5.3 million square foot mixed-use complex with commercial, manufacturing, and community uses in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The complex is located in an area bounded by 32nd Street to the north, 41st Street to the south, Third Avenue to the east, and the Brooklyn Waterfront to the west. The application called for four land use actions to allow for the addition of several buildings, lifted restrictions on the types of retail and other uses allowed. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the Industry City project, click here. (read more…)

90 Sands Street Building/Image Credit: Breaking Ground/CPC
The building conversion will bring 508 supportive and affordable residential units to DUMBO. On March 13, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved an application to facilitate the conversion of a 29-story former hotel building at 90 Sands Street. The building would be converted into a mixed-use residential use and community facility building with a future possibility for commercial use. To facilitate the conversion, the applicant, Breaking Ground, is proposing to rezone Brooklyn Block 87, which comprises of 90 Sands Street and 175 Pearl Street, from a manufacturing zoning district to a special mixed-use district that allows residential use and to designate the block as a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area. Brooklyn Block 87 is bounded by High Street to the north, Sands Street to the south, Jay Street to the east, and Pearl Street to the west. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the application, click here.
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Rendering of the new eight-story building on 52nd Street./Image Credit: Albo Liberis and CPC
The new development would be located near the 7 line and many bus stops. On March 13, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved an application to rezone part of 52nd Street in Sunnyside, Queens. The rezoning will affect the east side of 52nd Street, bounded by Roosevelt Avenue to the north and Queens Boulevard to the south. The street would be rezoned from a low-density residential zoning district that allows three-story buildings to a medium-density residential zoning district that allows eight-story buildings. The rezoning would facilitate the construction of a new eight-story mixed-use building located mid-block between 43-09 and 43-25 52nd Street. On February 19, 2020, City Planning voted to approve the application. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the application, click here.
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Rendering of First Proposed Lenox Terrace Development Image Credit: City Planning
Modifications leave community and Council Member Perkins still unconvinced. On February 26, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises voted to disapprove an application by the Olnick Organization to rezone and redevelop a superblock in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, containing the Lenox Terrace apartments. The 12 acre superblock is located between 135th Street to the north, 132nd street to the south, 5th Avenue to the east, and Malcom X Boulevard to the west. The application was approved by City Planning with modifications on February 3, 2020. To read CityLand’s prior coverage and the applicant’s earlier proposal click here.
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979-985 Pacific Street Rendering Image Credit: City Planning
Council Member Cumbo applauds Community Board for involvement in zoning process. On February 12, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on EMP Capital Group’s rezoning on the northeast and southeast corners of Grand Ave and Pacific Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The rezoning would facilitate the construction of a nine-story mixed use development on the northeast corner at 979-985 Pacific Street. Read CityLand’s prior coverage of this rezoning and proposed development here.
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Rendering of 27 East 4th Street, Image Credit: CPC/SRAA+E Architecture and Engineering
Supporters of preserving the Merchant House Museum rejoice in victory, but the battle may not be over as future demolition and construction is possible. On September 26, 2018, the City Council voted to disapprove the application for a rezoning at 27 East 4th Street in Manhattan. The Application would have allowed for an 8-story, 28-room hotel or office building with a restaurant and lobby below the second floor, with approximately 17,141 square feet of total floor area. The development site is located within the NoHo Historic District Extension, and is adjacent to the Merchant House Museum, an 1832 rowhouse that is an individual, interior, and national historic landmark. The Merchant House was the City’s first designated landmark and one of the first 20 landmarks designated in the state. It is only one of 120 interior landmarks in the City and one of only 6 residences. (read more…)