Proposed Development Raised Community Ire, Deemed Out-of-Scale by Commissioners

Commissioners asked for revisions to proposal, which would see two garage buildings converted− one to an apartment building and the other into two townhouses. On March 28, 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered a proposal for two adjoining lots at 536 Halsey Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant/Expanded Stuyvesant Heights Historic District. The midblock site is occupied by two early-20th-century utilitarian buildings; a three-story Queen Anne-style structure built in 1904 and a one-story building. Both were … <Read More>


City Planning Green Lights 70 Supportive and Affordable Units in Brownsville

The City Planning Commission approved the construction of 70 new affordable and supportive units in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood. On March 8, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on an application by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to designate the properties at 210–214 Hegeman Avenue as an Urban Development Action Area and Project, and for the disposition of the lots. The designation and sale would facilitate the construction of an eight-story, … <Read More>


Morningside Heights-Notable for Early 20th Century Architecture Designated

District is composed of 115 buildings between West 109th and West 199th Streets. On February 21, 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the Morningside Heights Historic District, in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. Made up of 115 buildings, the district is characterized by its residential architecture, developed within a relatively short period of time in the early 20th century, for middle and upper class tenants. The district is bounded by West 109th Street … <Read More>


City Council to Hear Testimony on Three New Harlem Developments

The City Planning Commission approved three new affordable housing projects; City Council schedules hearing. On February 1, 2017, the City Planning Commission adopted favorable reports for three Department of Housing Preservation and Development applications to dispose of city-owned properties in order to facilitate three new housing developments in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood. Each development will contain varying levels of affordability under HPD loan structures. The City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning has scheduled a public hearing on … <Read More>


After Three Years at the Helm, Carl Weisbrod Steps Down from City Planning

Carl Weisbrod stepped down from Chair of the City Planning Commission to Chair the Trust for Governors Island. On January 4, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his new appointment to Chair the Trust for Governors Island, Carl Weisbrod. Weisbrod has served as the Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning since de Blasio’s election in 2013. For Weisbrod’s two latest discussions at CityLaw’s Breakfast Series, click … <Read More>


City Development Commitments to be Published Online

City development commitments would be published online for public dialog and accountability. On December 14, 2016, the City Council passed legislation to require the Mayor’s Office to publish the City’s financial commitments resulting from the ULURP process. The legislation was sponsored by Public Advocate Letitia James and received a unanimous vote of approval from the City Council. (Read past CityLand coverage here).