Proposed Council Bill to Increase Penalties for Sidewalk Parking in Manufacturing Districts

New penalties will range from $500 to $1,000. On February 2, 2023, Council Member Alexa Avilés introduced bill number 0900-2023 in the NYC Council. The bill proposes to increase penalties for illegal sidewalk parking by covered businesses in certain manufacturing (M1) zoning districts and arranged for bollards to be installed within selected areas of these zoning districts.


Council Passes Bill for More Data on Families With Children in Shelters

On February 2, 2023, the New York City Council approved Local Law 26, which would more closely monitor the status of the City’s most vulnerable families—those who live in shelters. The new law was originally introduced in 2022 by Council Member Kevin C. Riley as Introduction 421. Local Law 26 now requires the NYC Department of Homeless Services to report more regularly on the status of families with children living in shelters.


Landmarks Calendars Former Segregated School Building in Chelsea

On February 14, 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the former Colored School No. 4 as an individual landmark. The former school, located at 128 West 17th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan, is the only surviving school building that exclusively served African American students in Manhattan in the second half of the 19th century. The building serves as a significant reminder of racially segregated education in New York City, and the accomplishments of notable <Read More>


DOT Announces Expansion of On-Street Carshare Program Following Successful Pilot

On February 7, 2023, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an expansion of a citywide curbside carshare program following a successful five-year pilot program. Carsharing allows participating members to access a vehicle for short-term use by hour or day whose cost includes maintenance. The cars are parked in publicly accessible locations to allow users to reserve vehicles, walk up to the reserved vehicle and use it, and then return it to the <Read More>



CPC Hears Application for Mixed-Use Building in Gravesend

The applicants are seeking an alternative rezoning after pushback from the community board. On February 1, 2023, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for a mixed-use development at 58 Nixon Court in Gravesend, Brooklyn. The current site consists of four vacant lots between Nixon Court and Shore Parkway. Coney Island Hospital is located across Ocean Parkway from the proposed site. The applicants are represented by Erik Palatnik.