City Council Member Margaret Chin.

City Council passed a bill that would exempt certain government entities from pre-application requirements for zoning text amendments. On August 24, 2017, Council Member Margaret Chin introduced Int. No. 1685, exempting certain government officials from the Department of City Planning’s “time-consuming” pre-application process. “This bill would allow Borough Presidents, Mayoral Agencies and the Land Use Committee of the City Council to file applications for zoning text amendments without filing a pre-application statement.” The bill was referred to the Committee on Land Use. The Committee held a public hearing on the bill on October 26, 2017 and on October 31, 2017, the City Council passed the bill. (read more…)

Image Credit: Wikipedia

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…)

Pershing Square in Manhattan. Image Credit: LPC

Designations opposed by developers and hoteliers; transit advocates expressed concern that landmarking would prevent improved subway infrastructure and access. On July 19 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held hearings on the potential designations of five possible individual landmarks in the East Midtown area of Manhattan. Twelve items in total were identified by Landmarks as significant historic and architectural resources, as part of the mayoral administration’s Greater East Midtown plan. The plan to revitalize the area is intended to strengthen its position as a commercial district. The plan is expected to entail rezoning for greater density, improvements to transit and public spaces, and funding commitments for improvements and economic growth projects, in addition to the preservation of landmark-worthy fabric. Various stakeholders, including elected officials, business and real estate interests, and labor organizations are informing the plan, and a steering committee released a final report in 2015. (read more…)

Tin Building Rendering, South Street Seaport. Image Credit: SHoP Architects.

The Tin Building will be elevated to bring it out of 100-year flood plain, and it will be restored to its market use as part of the larger Seaport development.  On March 22, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved a proposal to dismantle the Tin Building, built as part of the Fulton Fish Market in 1907, and move, restore and reconstruct the structure within the South Street Seaport Historic District. The building, once the main market building for the Fulton Fish Market, lies at the foot of Pier 17, facing South Street. The building’s renovation and reactivation will be done as part of the larger redevelopment of the Seaport being undertaken by the Howard Hughes Corporation. Landmarks previously approved the demolition of a mall on Pier 17, and the creation of a new retail building with public amenities in 2012. (read more…)

Chart displays the percentage of Airbnb’s listings offering entire homes in New York City before and after Airbnb took down more than 1,000 of them. Image credit: Tom Slee & Murray Cox

Elected officials and affordable housing activists unite at State capitol in support of the legislation.  On February 24, 2016, 300 members and supporters of the Share Better coalition rallied at the State capitol in support of Assembly Bill A08704, which would ban most online listings advertising rental apartments for less than thirty days per renter. Bill A08704 was proposed to the State Assembly approximately one month after a report was released to the public that tends to show Airbnb released its site data to the public only after purging its site of more than 1,000 illegal temporary rental listings. The rally was held on the same day Airbnb issued a letter to the State legislature to reassure Assembly Members and Senators of the company’s commitment to working with the City in creating fair rules for operating the home-sharing network.

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Rendering of proposed development as it would appear when viewed from Whitney Museum. Image credit: BKSK Architects

Scale and massing of proposed new building and additions require moderation. On February 9, 2016, Landmarks heard the applicants’ response to criticism from those who testified at a public hearing on November 10, 2015, concerning the redevelopment of a block face in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. The work encompasses 46-48, 50, 52-58, 60-68, and 70-74 Gansevoort Street, between Greenwich and Washington Streets. The five buildings comprise three tax lots. The block is diagonally across from the new Whitney Museum.

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