Council Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19 Relief Bills

Committee hearing calls into question the amount of loans and protections for small businesses during COVID outbreak. On April 29, 2020, the City Council’s Committee on Small Business and Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing held a joint public hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in New York City.  Of the thirteen proposed bills, three were specifically labeled as part of a COVID-19 Relief Package. The bills address personal liability for … <Read More>


New York City Council Approves Two Bills Limiting Third-Party Delivery Service Fees

Council Bills intended to support the restaurant industry and small business. On May 13, 2020 the New York City Council voted to approve two bills intended to restrict the amount of fees third-party delivery services can charge restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurant closures. Intro 1898-A, which essentially prevents fees to restaurants when no actual transaction results, was approved with 47 votes in the affirmative and three votes in the negative. Intro 1908-B, which … <Read More>


Developers Must Set Aside Affordable Retail Space in City-Funded Developments

The law will help provide more opportunities for small businesses to remain in the City. On February 23, 2020, Introduction 1408-B was enacted into Local Law 35 of 2020. Introduction 1408-B requires developers to set aside affordable retail space for non-chain retailers within large City-funded affordable housing developments. The requirement will apply to certain affordable housing developments of at least 750,000 square feet that receive $15 million or more in City funds. The law, sponsored … <Read More>


City Council Approves the Creation of New Dorp BID

City Council votes to create the City’s latest Business Improvement District on Staten Island. On April 5, 2017, the City Council voted 50-0 to approve the Department of Small Business Services’ application to create the New Dorp Business Improvement District for Staten Island’s New Dorp neighborhood. The BID will consist of properties along New Dorp Lane and adjacent commercial streets between Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Road. The proposed BID contains 146 properties and 180 businesses, … <Read More>


City Planning Approves New Dorp BID [UPDATE: City Council Will Hold Hearing]

UPDATE: The City Council’s Committee on Finance has scheduled a public hearing for the New Dorp Business Improvement District for February 15, 2017. The hearing will be held in the Committee Room at City Hall at 10:00 AM, and will be chaired by Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland.

The below report was originally published on January 11, 2017:

Proposal encompasses 180 businesses, 30 residential units and two government-owned properties. On January 4, 2016, the City Planning … <Read More>