Special rules seek to protect residential neighborhoods and encourage development of day care and medical facilities in commercial districts. On January 18, 2011, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s amendment to the Lower Density Growth Management Area (LDGMA) regulations that apply to Staten Island and Bronx Community District 10. The amendment limits the development of out-of-context medical facilities and day care centers in low-density residential areas and encourages their construction in commercial districts. It also eases commercial regulations that restricted residential expansion and development in appropriate areas of Staten Island.
The amendment is the latest modification to the City’s LDGMA zoning regulations applicable to areas within Staten Island and Bronx CD 10 which are characterized by rapid growth, high vehicle ownership, and limited access to mass transit. 1 CityLand 4 (Oct. 15, 2004), 2 CityLand 164 (Dec. 2005). The City last revised the LDGMA regulations to close a parking requirement loophole in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. 7 CityLand 37 (April 15, 2010). (read more…)

- Staten Island proposed new zoning. Image: courtesy NYC Department of City Planning.
Plan brings three separate commercial corridors into conformance with zoning regulations. On January 18, 2011, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s proposal to apply commercial overlays to three commercial corridors comprising 28 total blocks in Staten Island: Richmond Avenue from Victory Boulevard to Travis Avenue; Hylan Boulevard between Naughton and Seaver Avenues; and Hylan Boulevard between Richmond Avenue and Goodall Street. The rezoning was reviewed and approved concurrently with Planning’s broader modification to the Lower Density Growth Management Area (LDGMA) regulations.
Although zoned residential, the three corridors are predominantly developed with commercial uses that existed prior to the adoption of the 1961 zoning resolution or were built with BSA approval. Because these areas are not located in commercial zones, the LDGMA commercial regulations did not apply to these businesses. By applying C1-2 and C2-2 commercial overlays to these corridors, Planning brings the majority of the businesses into conformance with the underlying zoning and ensures that LDGMA commercial regulations will apply to future development. (read more…)