Community Wants More Zoning Protections in Union Square South SD Expansion

Hotel special permitting fails to address other types of development in the Union Square South area. On January 22, 2020, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application by the Department of City Planning for an expansion of the Special Union Square District, and the establishment of a special permit requirement for new hotel development in the expansion area.


Environmental Control Board Finds Post Office Subject to City Jurisdiction

ECB found federal Postal Service not exempted from Noise Code on grounds of preemption.  On April 4, 2014 the Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation against the Staten Island Main Post Office for operating an air conditioning unit in excess of the allowable decibel limit under the City Noise Code.  The Post Office contested the notice with the Environmental Control Board, arguing the United States Postal Service was “an independent establishment … <Read More>


Citizens Win Protection of Historic Tobacco Warehouse

Court ruled that the National Park Service unlawfully removed warehouse and adjacent building from park boundaries. In 2001, the National Park Service awarded to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund a cove restoration project in Empire Fulton Ferry Park in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The Park Service’s grant was contingent on the State Office of Parks agreeing that the restoration project … <Read More>


DEP Starts Sweeping Meter Reader Upgrades

On December 2, 2024, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it has begun upgrading over 600,000 Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) devices across the city. The AMR device is a small gray box attached to the exterior of a property that wirelessly transmits readings from the water meter to the agency. The device upgrades will begin in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn and will continue over the next three years, providing … <Read More>


DDC Celebrates Water Main Upgrades in Park Slope

On November 1, 2024, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the completion of a $40.7 million project that focused on protecting Brooklyn residents from the future impacts of climate change. The project was managed by the  Department of Design and Construction on behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation. The upgrades in Park Slope aim to improve stormwater drainage and the overall capacity of the … <Read More>


City Expands Program to Replace Private Lead Water Lines

On October 9, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the expansion of the lead service line replacement program. Through this free program, the City will cover the replacement of privately-owned water service lines, made of lead or galvanized steel, at eligible properties in the Bronx and Queens. Water service lines connect directly to the City’s water mains, and property owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property’s service lines, which are estimated … <Read More>