David Farber was appointed New York City Housing Authority Executive Vice-President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel in August 2014. When speaking with David, his clear love for New York City is readily apparent and supplemented by a driving desire to leave the city better than he found it. Turning 50 this year, David has spent the majority of his professional career in service to his city with great satisfaction.
Born in Manhattan and raised … <Read More>
Legislation would extend rent stabilization laws for three years and call on state legislature to strengthen existing laws. On March 2, 2015 the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings held a public hearing on Intro 685, a proposed law to amend the city’s administrative code and extend New York City’s existing rent stabilization laws. Intro 685 declares the existence of a “housing emergency”, where the city’s vacancy rate drops below 5 percent, and … <Read More>
Permit allows construction of building and an underground parking garage. On February 4, 2015 the City Planning Commission approved a special permit application by 7 West 21 LLC for the construction of an eighteen-story mixed-use building at 7 West 21st Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District of Manhattan. The building will feature 300 units of rental housing, 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a 200-space underground parking garage. The Commission held a … <Read More>
Attorney General Schneiderman found the developer was operating a building as an illegal hotel while receiving a 421-a property tax exemption. On February 26, 2015 New York State Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman announced reaching a settlement with 47 East 34th Street LP over illegally evading New York property taxes. The LP owns an apartment building at 47 East 34th Street in Manhattan which is exempt from property tax under the 421-a program, however the Attorney General’s … <Read More>
The Council Speaker announced $250 million for NYCHA and called on Albany to match the funds. On February 11, 2015 City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito delivered her first State of the City address at the Johnson Community Center in East Harlem. As part of the address’ overall theme to “lift every voice”, the Speaker announced a plan to commit $225 million in capital funding for the New York City Housing Authority to improve conditions in … <Read More>
Through-lot building is opposed by Manhattan Borough President and Community Board 5. On February 4, 2015 the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed residential tower at 39-41 West 23rd Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. The site is zoned M1-6 and is surrounded by commercial use buildings, but has been the subject of residential development attempts since 2006. (See previous CityLand coverage here and here.)