City Council Approves Zoning Text Amendment for Permanent Open Restaurants Program

City Council still needs to pass legislation establishing the program. On February 24, 2022, the City Council voted to approve the zoning text amendment that will remove geographical restrictions where sidewalk cafes can operate across the city. This vote completes the first step in the creation of a permanent open restaurant program. 



City Planning and HPD Seek Public Feedback on New Equitable Development Data Tool

The tool aims to aid discussions and policymaking for creating affordable housing and preventing displacement. On February 22, 2022, the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the beginning of public engagement work for a new interactive tool, the Equitable Development Data Tool. The tool will allow users to examine housing, demographics, public health and other data, and compare that data across neighborhoods and racial and ethnic <Read More>


City Planning Votes to Approve New Mixed-Use Building in Belmont

Commissioners had previous concerns about the impact of the removal of parking spaces on the neighborhood. On February 16, 2022, the City Planning Commission voted to approve a special permit application to waive parking requirements that would allow for the development of an eleven-story mixed use building in the Belmont section of the Bronx. For CityLand’s prior coverage of this application, click here


City Council Holds First Hearing on Permanent Open Restaurants Plan

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>