Commission recommends that the project be reduced by 635,000 sq.ft. and its open space increased. On September 27, 2006, the Planning Commission recommended to the Empire State Development Corporation that Forest City Ratner Companies reduce the overall size of its proposed downtown Brooklyn Atlantic Yards project by eight percent or 635,000 sq.ft. and increase the proposed open space from seven to eight acres to address the significant amount of pedestrian traffic that the project would … <Read More>
Council holds hearing on industrial employment zone
- Map showing current Industrial Business Zones. Image courtesy of Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses.
Proposal would add protections for manufacturing by requiring nonindustrial uses to obtain special permits. On September 18, 2006, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises held a public hearing on a proposal to create Industrial Employment Districts. Current zoning laws permit nonindustrial buildings, such as commercial or retail uses, in manufacturing zones, which can destabilize an area and … <Read More>
DOT Assistant Commissioner Kerry Gould-Schmit Talks About the Plan that Will Generate Over $1 Billion in Revenue
In May 2006, the Department of Transportation obtained final approval on a 20-year street furniture franchise, a plan that will bring over $1 billion to the City while it meets its main goal of providing more useful bus shelters, sleek news racks, standard-sized newsstands and for the first time: permanent public toilets. The plan originated from a 1992 experiment by the David N. Dinkins’ administration that placed four public pay toilets on city sidewalks but … <Read More>
Yankees Stadium construction proceeds
Court refuses to halt destruction of 377 mature trees. After the City approved the New York Yankees’ plan to construct a new stadium, Save Our Parks, a group of over 100 Bronx residents, filed an article 78 petition challenging the final environmental review and sought an immediate injunction to stop the Yankees’ plan to remove 377 mature trees.
Court refuses to halt destruction of 377 mature trees. After the City approved the New York Yankees’ … <Read More>
City’s approval ruled not binding on future owners
- Five-story row house at 330 West 86th Street to be demolished. Photo: Kevin Schultz.
Restrictions in deed and Council’s approval do not restrict future owners. The City foreclosed on a deteriorated five-story row house at 330 West 86th Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive. The City, through HPD, sought to designate the lot as a UDAAP, an Urban Development Action Area Project, to allow for a quick sale without an auction or bidding … <Read More>
Injunction against DOB reversed
Staten Island civil court judge issued injunction against Buildings over C of O’s. In 2005, Judge Philip S. Straniere addressed a recurring issue in Staten Island where developers were failing to obtain final certificates of occupancy for new homeowners who, upon expiration of the temporary certificates, were unable to legalize their occupancy. Some of these homeowners, who had been cited by Buildings and ECB, sued the developers to compel them to obtain final certificates and … <Read More>