Amendments to Special Clinton District refine theater bonus zoning text. In 2005, the City Council approved several applications submitted by the Department of City Planning intended to revitalize the Far West Side of Manhattan. Among the approved actions was the establishment of the Special Hudson Yards District and the creation of a floor area bonus for theater use applicable to “Theater Row” in the Special Clinton District. 2 CityLand 4 (Feb. 15, 2005). In November 2007, City Planning submitted an application containing text changes to the Special Hudson Yards District that also included modifications to the theater bonus in the Special Clinton District. In response to concerns raised during the public review process, the proposed theater bonus amendments were separated from the application and were set aside for further review. In October 2008, City Planning filed a new application that included the previously proposed theater bonus amendments as well as several new amendments also relating to the theater bonus.

The theater bonus applies to a one and a half block area bounded by West 42nd Street, West 41st Street, Dyer Avenue, and Eleventh Avenue. The original theater bonus text explained that residential developments that included floor area for “legitimate” theater space could utilize the theater bonus to add 3.0 FAR to the maximum base 10.0 FAR found in the C6-4 district. City Planning’s amendments clarify that for every three square feet of theater bonus floor area, one square foot of such area must be used for new performance space. The amendments also expand the types of theater (non-profit performing arts) and uses (rehearsal space) that may generate the bonus. (read more…)