Mayor Appoints New Board of Standards and Appeals Chair and Vice Chair

On December 30, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Shampa Chanda as the new Chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) and Salvatore Scibetta as the new Vice Chair. The Board of Standards and Appeals hears individual applications for exceptions and changes to zoning regulations that may overly restrict specific properties where a broader change to the zoning text and map is unnecessary. 



DCP Hosts First Info Session for “City of Yes” Text Amendments

On October 17, 2022, the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) held an online information session to discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” initiatives. The “City of Yes” was first announced back in June and focuses on three key areas of reform: Carbon Neutrality, Economic Opportunity, and Housing Opportunity. The amendments highlight the mayor’s desire to move away from “Not in My Backyard,” or “NIMBY” policies that restrict the development … <Read More>


City Council Passes “Halletts North” Housing Project

On September 29, 2022, the City Council approved a rezoning for the Halletts North development in Astoria, Queens. The mixed-use development, located at the intersection of 27th Avenue and 3rd Street, consists of three towers with 46,509 square feet of waterfront public access area along the East River. The development will be 986,000 square feet total, with 962,800 square feet of residential space, 1800 square feet of commercial space, and a 21,500 square … <Read More>


HPD Celebrates Opening of New Affordable Building with 275 Units in East New York

The building includes a community center with a variety of programs to promote economic growth and youth development. On October 4, 2022, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) joined other city agencies, MHANY Management, Urban Builders Collaborative and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation to celebrate the opening of Chestnut Commons Apartments in East New York, Brooklyn. Chestnut Commons Apartments, located at 110 Dinsmore Place, is a new 275-permanently affordable unit building.