Howard Goldman
Central to the concept of zoning is that a developer may rely on the text and build to the limits written into the zoning resolution. The council has now tinkered with that expectation. Under a new local law, the council can potentially overcome the “as-of-right” option by adopting a text change on an expedited basis.
The local law was a response to the controversial Two Bridges project, a proposal consisting of three residential towers located on Cherry, South and Clinton Streets on the lower east side of Manhattan. These towers, to be developed by JDS Development Group, L+M Development Partners and CIM Group, and Starrett Development, range from 62 to 79 stories. city planning ruled that, because the development complied with the underlying zoning text, the project was not subject to advisory review by the borough president and approval by the city council pursuant to the uniform land use review procedure. (read more…)
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CityLand tracks these applications through the review process to a final decision. The majority of these decisions are available on the Center for New York City Law’s CityAdmin database (found at www.CityAdmin.org).
To view the New Filings and Decisions chart for September 2017, click here.
Click to open PDF.
CityLand tracks these applications through the review process to a final decision. The majority of these decisions are available on the Center for New York City Law’s CityAdmin database (found at www.CityAdmin.org).
To view the New Filings and Decisions chart for August 2017, click here.
Rendering by Raymond Chan Architects. Image Credit: New York YIMBY, LLC.
City Planning approves an application for a nine-story residential building with 27 permanently affordable units in Flushing, Queens. On September 6, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on a modified land use application for rezoning the area containing 135-01 35th Avenue. The land use application by Stemmax Realty Inc. includes zoning map and zoning text amendments. Stemmax Realty Inc. owns the project site, located at the northeast corner of 35th Avenue and Farrington Place.
Initially, the zoning map amendment was to rezone the M1-1 district, allowing light industrial uses, into a R7A/C2-3 district for mixed-use development. During the ULURP process, the Community Board expressed discontent for the commercial overlay, which was later eliminated. Stemmax Realty Inc. submitted a modified land use application for the zoning map amendment that includes only a R7A residential district. (read more…)
Image credit: Perkins Eastman Architects
City Council approved the development of Ebenezer Plaza that will bring affordable housing, jobs, and a new church space to Brownsville, Brooklyn. On September 7, 2017, City Council passed two land use actions by a vote of 45-0 to allow for the development of a mixed-used plaza in Brownsville. The actions enact a zoning map amendment that allows mixed-use development, and a zoning text amendment that establishes a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area. The affected area is located north of Hegeman Avenue between Mother Gaston Boulevard and Powell Street. For CityLand’s prior coverage click here.
The project came to fruition when the Church of God of East Flatbush partnered with Brisa Builders Corporation, a family-owned and community-oriented developer, to create a mixed-use plaza on some property owned by the Church. Brisa Builders then partnered with Procida Companies to increase the project’s capacity. The new plaza is expected to contain 4 affordable residential buildings on 2 lots, retail space marketed to local community organizations, and new walking space between existing residences and the Brownsville Recreational Center. (read more…)
Rendering of Queens Far Rockaway Branch Public Library by Snøhetta. Image credit: NYC EDC
City Council approved a 22-block rezoning of Downtown Far Rockaway, Queens. On September 7, 2017, the City Council approved a large-scale rezoning and development plan for Downtown Far Rockaway by a vote of 46-0. The resolutions will create a Special Downtown Far Rockaway district, a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area, and an Urban Renewal Area. $288 million has been secured to grant amenities this community has been requesting for over 40 years. (read more…)
