When asked to discuss current trends coming out of City Planning, David Karnovsky, General Counsel since 1999, offered to start the conversation with the matters sitting on his desk. From Broadway’s first air rights sale, to a new community board planning tool, to implementation of City Planning’s complex rezoning plans, the conversation revealed developing trends. Karnovsky, a Harvard Law School graduate, joined City Planning after serving as Special Counsel to the Deputy Mayor of Operations … <Read More>
Search Results for: Midtown, Manhattan
Core Club approved for East 55th
Upscale social club to occupy five floors of new 41-story residential building. RFD 55th Street LLC, owner of 60 East 55th Street, a 41- story mixed-use building currently being developed in Midtown Manhattan between Park and Madison Avenues, sought a special permit to allow a 19,249-square-foot high-end social club, known as the Core Club. The Club will feature a restaurant, library, outdoor lounge, screening room, meeting room, gym and spa. At the BSA hearing, RFD … <Read More>
Signs ok’ed for Rockefeller Center’s new observation deck
Full Council approved zoning amendment granting special authority to Planning Commission Chair. On June 23, 2005, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the zoning resolution allowing the Chair of the Planning Commission to authorize the use of illuminated signs in lots occupied by a landmark. The amended zoning resolution applied only to the Fifth Avenue Subdistrict of the Special Midtown District, and impacts the New York Public Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. … <Read More>
General Motors Plaza renovations approved
Redesign will feature a glass cube in the center of the plaza and a more accessible public space. On June 23, 2005, the City Council approved a text amendment to the Special Midtown District allowing renovations to the General Motors building plaza, located at 767 Fifth Avenue between East 59th and East 58th Streets. The text amendment was necessary to alter the street wall and retail continuity requirements, which require that larger developments be built … <Read More>
Ten-year permit for health and beauty spa granted
Spa allowed in cellar of building in Little Korea. BSA approved a special permit for a spa to be located in the cellar of an existing 12- story building on the north side of West 37th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan. The building, located in an M1-6 District, currently contains a restaurant, retail store, office space and manufacturing uses. Prior to seeking the special permit from BSA, the Department of Buildings granted … <Read More>