Boundary map for Special Hudson Square District

Trinity Church proposed that 18 blocks be rezoned to allow residential uses and accommodate the Church’s future development project near Duarte Square. On August 20, 2012, the City Planning Commission certified Trinity Church’s proposal to create the Special Hudson Square District in Manhattan. The Special District would include 18 blocks generally bounded by West Houston and Canal Streets, Avenue of the Americas, and Greenwich Street. Trinity Church controls approximately 39 percent of the lot area within the proposed Special District. The area’s M1-6 zoning permits manufacturing and commercial uses, but prohibits residential uses and does not set maximum building heights. The stated goals of the Special District include permitting the expansion and new development of residential, commercial, and community facility uses while promoting the retention of commercial and light manufacturing uses.

Under the proposal, the area’s underlying M1-6 zoning would remain, but the Special District regulations would permit residential uses, provide incentives to create affordable housing, and establish building height limits and setback requirements to reinforce existing neighborhood character. The Special District would include a residential development goal of approximately 2,200 new residential units. The proposal would also establish two subdistricts with individually tailored regulations in the southern portion of the Special District. (read more…)