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Contributions from transfers of development rights by theaters in the district would be increased four fold—from $17.60 per square foot to 20 percent of the sales price. On September 7, 2016, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the City’s Zoning Resolution that would solidify the contribution rate to the Theater Subdistrict Fund related to the transfer of development rights from 46 listed theaters in Manhattan’s Theater Subdistrict. Currently, a transfer of development rights from an enumerated theater requires a contribution to the Theater Subdistrict Fund of $17.60 per square foot transferred. City Planning’s proposed amendment would change the contribution rate to a set 20 percent of the sales price and would establish a floor price for transfers as a basis for a minimum contribution. Additionally, the amendment would change the certification requirement of the special permit from approval by the City Planning Commission to only the Chairperson. For CityLand’s previous coverage of the Theater Subdistrict Fund click here. (read more…)
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The proposed rezoning would permit the development of four mixed-use buildings and one commercial building across the street from Pier 40. On August 24, 2016, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application for a zoning text amendment, a zoning map change, four special permits, three authorizations, and one chairperson certification to facilitate the redevelopment of the commercial building at 550 Washington Street, in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The project would create three separate city blocks for the five proposed buildings. There would be two buildings each in the northern and central blocks, all being mixed-use, and the fifth building would cover the entire southern lot and remain zoned for office or hotel space. (read more…)
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CityLand tracks these applications through the review process to a final decision. The majority of these decisions are available on the Center for New York City Law’s CityAdmin database (found at www.CityAdmin.org). (read more…)
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Phipps Houses withdrew its application for its ten-story, Barnett Avenue development following a lack of community support. On September 20, 2016, Phipps Houses, the oldest and largest not-for-profit developer of affordable housing in New York City, withdrew its Barnett Avenue development proposal—the day before its scheduled public hearing in front of the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. Phipps Houses had sought a zoning map change and two zoning text amendments to facilitate the construction of a new mixed-use development in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens. (read more…)
An example of a residence enlarged pursuant to a BSA-approved application in Brooklyn Community District 10 (original residence shown on the left). Image credit: Brooklyn Community Board 10
The proposed amendment would remove Brooklyn Community District 10 from applicability under Section 73-622, which the community board argues has not been used in line with its intended purpose. On August 24, 2016, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application to amend the New York City zoning text relating to special permits issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals. These special permits allow property owners in R2 zoning districts to enlarge family residences beyond what is otherwise prohibited by the Zoning Resolution. Currently, Section 73-622 only applies to four of the fifty-nine Community Districts in New York City. (read more…)
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The proposal would allow for a two-wing through block building with two floors of retail in the Ladies Mile Historic District. On September 7, 2016, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises heard testimony on an application for a special permit to facilitate the development in Chelsea neighborhood. The developer would restore and maintain two landmark buildings on site—one of which contains the Adorama camera store. The remainder of the lot—currently a parking lot abutting both West 18th Street and 17th Street—is where the proposed building would be constructed. Despite strong support for applying Mandatory Inclusionary Housing from both Manhattan Community Board 5 and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, the City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the special permit without applying affordable housing. For CityLand’s previous coverage on the development, click here. (read more…)
