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…)