Map of area around Olmsted-Beil House Park (center, green). Proposed lots to be acquired are in red. Image Credit: NYC CPC/ NYC Parks & Recreation

Proposed historic park expansion will provide space for programming and direct access from Hylan Boulevard. On October 31, 2018, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application on the acquisition of property at 4485 Hylan Boulevard in the Eltingville neighborhood of Staten Island to expand Olmsted-Beil House Park. The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services jointly filed the application.  (read more…)

Image credit: NYC Water.

The City took Staten Island property that was subject to wetlands regulations. In the early 1970s Baycrest Manor, Inc., purchased two irregularly shaped, adjacent unimproved lots between Zoe Street and Cletus Street in the Dongan Hills section of Staten Island.  After Baycrest purchased the lots the State designated the majority of the lots as wetlands. On November 3, 2006 the City acquired the lots from Baycrest as part of a multi-phase project to manage storm water along the New Creek Bluebelt. Subsequently Baycrest sued the City seeking just compensation. The Supreme Court, Richmond County, awarded Baycrest $382,190.25 based on the determination that Baycrest was entitled to an increment above the regulated wetland value of the lots. (read more…)

Street cuts in Staten Island. Image credit: Staten Island USA.

Street cuts are still a problem in City streets undermining repaving efforts. On July 27, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a pilot program to prevent so-called “street cuts” on freshly paved streets. The pilot will mandate interagency cooperation and coordination to prevent fresh asphalt being marred with street cuts. According to Staten Island USA, street cuts are the name given to the patch job done in the wake of underground work performed by developers, plumbing contractors, gas and electric utilities, cable operators and other entities that wish to, or need to work below the streets. The announcement follows the “Pave Baby Pave” campaign launched in 2014 that has helped repave many City streets. (read more…)

Satellite View of Project Area. Image Credit: Google Maps.

A wholesale club and retail center will be developed on Staten Island Wetlands in Mariners Harbor. On October 31, 2017, City Council passed the South Avenue Retail Development land use actions by a vote of 45-1. The special permit and City map amendment will facilitate the development of five new retail buildings in Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. The special permit allows the retail buildings to be developed in excess of 10,000 square feet to accommodate use for a supermarket. The City map amendment will removed mapped but unbuilt streets from the project area’s wetlands to prevent future development. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the matter, click here.

Mariners Harbor, Staten Island is an environmental justice community. Council Member Debi Rose of District 49, where the development will occur, has facilitated many conversations between the community and project developers to ensure smart planning. While explaining her vote at the October 31st Council meetings, Council Member Rose noted that a “no” vote from the Council on this project will not prevent development on the site, because the current zoning does allow commercial use. The developer asking for a special permit and City map amendments allowed the Council to review the development and attach commitments such as local hiring and increased environmental protection. (read more…)

East Shore Study Area. Image credit: DCP

The proposed rezoning is intended to address high flood vulnerabilities on the East Shore by limiting future developments to low density buildings.  On September 5, 2017, the City Council’s Subcommittee held a hearing and voted 4-0 to approve the City Planning Department’s application to create a special zoning district on the coastal areas of Staten Island. The zoning map amendment and zoning text amendments would cover portions of the Oakwood Beach, Graham Beach, and Ocean Breeze neighborhoods. The rezoning would limit future development in these highly flood vulnerable areas. The proposal area matches the State’s designated area for its Buyout Program. For CityLand’s prior coverage of this proposal, click here. (read more…)

Image Credit: explorenewdorp.com

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 Commission approved the Department of Small Business Services’ plan to create the New Dorp Business Improvement District for 180 businesses in Staten Island’s New Dorp neighborhood. The BID would consist of properties along New Dorp Lane and adjacent commercial streets between Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Road. (read more…)