Many elected officials raised concerns about DOT’s ability to handle the scale and capacity of a citywide permanent open restaurants program. On February 8, 2022, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a joint hearing with the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection on the proposed permanent open restaurant program. The proposed permanent open restaurant program will replace the temporary program and establish a new streamlined program for the creation, management and enforcement … <Read More>
City Council
City Council Votes to Improve Enforcement of HPD Affordable Housing Provisions
On December 15, 2021, the City Council voted to provide the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) with tools and the enhanced ability to enforce affordable housing provisions. The bill, Int. 2411-A, was sponsored by Former Council Member and Former Chair of the Housing and Building Committee Robert Cornegy.
Council Speaker Adams Announces Committee Appointments
On January 20, 2022, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced the selections for the City Council’s various committees.
For the land use related committees, the appointments are as follows:
City Council Approves Two Amendments Promoting Health and Fitness
In December 2021, the City Council voted to approve two applications proposed by the City to promote health, fitness and support small businesses. For CityLand’s prior coverage, click here.
City Council Passes Law to Promote Transparency for Rental and Utility Emergency Assistance Grants
The bill promotes transparency of the program due to possible heightened need as the eviction moratorium is set to expire on January 15th. On December 15, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 2081-A, a bill that provides more transparency around emergency assistance grant programs. These grants, run by the Human Resources Administration (HRA), are “one shot deals” that can assist New Yorkers with rent or utility payments when they are facing an unforeseen situation or … <Read More>
City Council Votes to Create Task Force to Study Conversion of Vacant or Unviable Office Space for Other Uses
A switch to remote work for many companies has left more office space vacant, and possibly available for different uses. On December 15, 2021, the City Council voted to approve Int. 2246-A, which creates a task force to study the potential of conversion of vacant and/or commercially unviable office space for different uses. The bill aims to address questions about how to best handle changing uses of office space for businesses, many of whom have … <Read More>