Map shows the storefronts studied in SoHo. Blue dots represent occupied stores; pink dots represent vacancies; yellow dots represent vacancies with construction or a store coming soon. Image Credit: NYC DCP
The causes of vacancies vary due to differences in local economies and other community characteristics. On August 8, 2019, the Department of City Planning released “Assessing Storefront Vacancy in NYC”, a report which examines retail patterns and storefront vacancies across 24 different neighborhood shopping corridors around the city. (read more…)
NYC Department of City Planning
The event kicks off the Commission’s program for the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. The Department of City Planning has announced a Waterfront Planning Camp for Saturday, August 17th. The camp will be hosted at Nolan Park on Governors Island and is open to all ages, free of charge. As it begins the process of crafting the future of the City’s 520 miles of waterfront, City Planning is inviting New Yorkers to participate in a day of fun, interactive activities that will allow them to share their vision and help shape it. (read more…)
DCP released a new interactive tool to identify areas in need of supermarkets. Image Credit: NYC DCP
Newest interactive tool helps communities evaluate supermarket needs. On August 2, 2019, the Department of City Planning launched the Supermarket Needs Index, a new interactive online map that shows fresh food store access across New York City. The map highlights which neighborhoods are underserved or lacking grocery store options. (read more…)
In August 2018, City Planning’s Chair Marisa Lago appointed Anita Laremont as the new Executive Director of the Planning Department. Laremont joined the Department as General Counsel in 2014 and has served New York City and State in public positions for over 35 years. (read more…)
Building on left demonstrates current issue with excessive mechanical voids. Image Credit: NYC CPC
Developers were using excessive mechanical spaces to increase the height of their buildings. On May 29, 2019, the City Council voted to adopt the Residential Tower Mechanical Voids Text Amendment with modifications. The Department of City Planning proposed the amendment in response to developers incorporating excessively tall mechanical floors – “mechanical voids” – in residential towers to increase their allowable height, as mechanical floors did not count toward the zoning floor area in the Zoning Resolution. This would result in towers with several floors of mostly empty space that would allow developers to build higher, increasing the values of the apartments on higher floors. In late 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio asked the Department of City Planning (DCP) to investigate the mechanical voids problem and find a solution.
(read more…)
An example of a pop-up window detailing the legislative history of a section of the Zoning Resolution. Image Credit: NYC DCP
The update includes legislative history dating from 1961. On June 19, 2019, the Department of City Planning announced an update to the online Zoning Resolution that provides the code’s legislative history. Earlier this year, DCP launched the digital Zoning Resolution online platform, which replaced the paper edition. The digital version provides users with the ability to use keyword searches, one-click sharing, navigation, and the option to subscribe for updates. This legislative history update provides information on all substantive changes from when DCP adopted the Zoning Resolution in 1961 to the present day. (read more…)
