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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 11

  Center for New York City Law

  The December 2008 issue of CityLand covers significant land use and legal developments in New York City. Highlights include the City Council’s approval of the East Village/Lower East Side rezoning and the controversial Willets Point Redevelopment Plan, both with concessions on affordable housing and community engagement. The issue also reports on the approval of the Hunter’s Point South waterfront development and the Via Verde affordable housing project in Melrose, Bronx. Landmark coverage includes the designation of NYU’s Silver Towers and the Prospect Heights Historic District, as well as criticism of the South Street Seaport redevelopment proposal. Legal decisions include the upholding of P.S. 64’s landmark designation, a ruling on appraisal methodology in an eminent domain case, and a court order requiring procedural changes at the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The issue concludes with a profile of Council Member Jessica Lappin, highlighting her work on landmarking, public siting, and construction safety.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 10

  Center for New York City Law

  The November 2008 issue of CityLand reports on major land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council modified the Dutch Kills rezoning to increase FAR and address hotel development concerns, approved the creation of the Special St. George District in Staten Island, and passed legislation requiring waterfront planning updates every ten years. The Council also approved the Hospital for Special Surgery’s expansion over the FDR Drive and extended the West Chelsea Historic District. The City Planning Commission approved modified plans for Willets Point and Hunter’s Point South, and reduced building heights and densities in the 125th Street rezoning. Landmark decisions included approval of the controversial demolition of the O’Toole Building and a proposed redevelopment of Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport. The issue also features a profile of Alessandro Olivieri, General Counsel for NYC Parks, and covers administrative and court decisions on variances, trade fixtures, and conflicts of interest.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 9

  Center for New York City Law

  The October 2008 issue of CityLand covers significant land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council postponed a vote on the Hospital for Special Surgery’s expansion plan, while approving the Waldheim rezoning in Flushing despite civic opposition. The City Planning Commission modified the Dutch Kills rezoning to increase FAR for certain uses and approved the East Harlem redevelopment plan. The Fulton Street BID was approved, and the Budget Rent-a-Car rezoning and street demapping in Queens were finalized. The issue includes court decisions upholding landmark designations for the City and Suburban Homes Estate and compelling the NYSDEC to accept a brownfield application. It also features a profile of Andrew Dolkart, Columbia University’s Director of Historic Preservation, and reports on new landmark designations including the Wheatsworth Factory and Public National Bank of NY. Morris Adjmi’s designs for Tribeca and Greenwich Village were approved, and hearings were held for the Alice and Agate Courts Historic District in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 8

  Center for New York City Law

  The September 2008 issue of CityLand covers major land use, zoning, and preservation developments across New York City. The City Council approved the Rockaway rezoning plan and the NoHo Historic District extension, including the controversial Whitehouse Hotel. Amendments to the Hudson Yards zoning text were adopted, and the Council passed new site safety laws for construction workers. The City Planning Commission heard testimony on the East Village/Lower East Side rezoning, the Hunter’s Point South redevelopment, and approved plans for the Whitney Museum’s downtown expansion and the Hospital for Special Surgery’s River Building over the FDR Drive. Staten Island’s new courthouse and garage were also approved. The issue includes a profile of Lynn Kelly, President of the Coney Island Development Corporation, discussing the urgency of rezoning to preserve the area’s amusement character. Legal decisions addressed vested rights in Van Cortlandt Village, DOI’s subpoena power, and EDC’s right to reclaim the Corn Exchange Bank building in Harlem.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 7

  Center for New York City Law

  The August 2008 issue of CityLand covers significant land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved a compromise rezoning for Hudson Square and a rezoning for Mott Haven to allow 600 new housing units. A text amendment was passed to protect Carroll Gardens from out-of-context development. Proposed changes to the Hudson Yards zoning text drew criticism from elected officials and community boards. The Planning Commission approved a 63-story tower at 610 Lexington Avenue using air rights from the landmarked Seagram Building. A controversial redevelopment plan for East Harlem was criticized for proceeding without a selected developer. Landmarks calendared Prospect Heights as Brooklyn’s largest historic district and designated West Chelsea and Morningside Park. A proposed demolition at 501 Hudson Street faced community opposition. The issue also includes a profile of architect Morris Adjmi, discussing his work in historic districts and sustainable design. Court decisions addressed waterfront access in Red Hook, scenic views at St. John the Divine, and FOIL access to Columbia University’s expansion documents.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 6

  Center for New York City Law

  The July 2008 issue of CityLand highlights major land use and preservation developments across New York City. The City Council approved a controversial 400-space parking garage in Midtown and landmarked Webster Hall in the East Village. The Planning Commission heard testimony on the Rockaway rezoning plan and reduced the scope of the Hudson Square rezoning. A text amendment was proposed to protect Carroll Gardens from out-of-context development. Landmark hearings included revised plans for St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Domino Sugar Refinery addition, both receiving mixed responses. The Commission also considered landmark status for Chase Manhattan Plaza and NYU’s Silver Towers. The Department of Buildings filed charges against architect Robert Scarano for false filings, and the Comptroller’s audit criticized EDC’s management of the Brooklyn Army Terminal lease. The issue features a profile of architectural critic Paul Goldberger, discussing design, zoning, and the evolution of New York’s built environment.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 5

  Center for New York City Law

  The June 2008 issue of CityLand focuses on construction safety reforms and major land use developments across New York City. It covers the City Council’s consideration of 12 bills aimed at improving construction site safety, including proposals for independent safety monitors and multilingual signage. The City Planning Commission approves the Hunts Point rezoning and certifies the East Village/Lower East Side rezoning plan. Landmark coverage includes the approval of Jean Nouvel’s MoMA tower, the expansion of the NoHo Historic District, and hearings on the proposed West Chelsea Historic District. Legal updates include a court ruling allowing the Randall’s Island ballfield project to proceed and a preliminary injunction to preserve the Windermere Apartments. The issue also profiles Christopher Albanese and his leadership in green building development, including the Solaire and Visionaire projects in Battery Park City.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 4

  Center for New York City Law

  The May 2008 issue of CityLand covers major land use and development initiatives across New York City. Highlights include the City Council’s approval of the 125th Street rezoning plan in Harlem, with modifications to address affordable housing and displacement concerns. The issue also reports on proposed zoning changes in Hudson Square, the certification of the Willets Point redevelopment plan, and revisions to the Coney Island rezoning. Landmark coverage includes the controversial MoMA tower proposal and St. Vincent’s Hospital expansion in Greenwich Village. The Economic Development Corporation announces RFPs for redevelopment projects at Bellevue Hospital, Kingsbridge Armory, and Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. Legal updates include a temporary restraining order halting construction at Union Square Park and TransGas’s continued efforts to site a power plant in Greenpoint. The issue concludes with a profile of Kenneth K. Fisher, reflecting on term limits and land use law.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 3

  Center for New York City Law

  The April 2008 issue of CityLand covers a wide range of land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. Major stories include the City Council’s approval of Sheldon Solow’s East River development and the 125th Street rezoning plan in Harlem. The issue also reports on the Williamsburg Grand Street rezoning, the withdrawal of a controversial loft conversion in Bushwick, and the MTA’s selection of Tishman Speyer’s $1B proposal for Hudson Yards. Landmark coverage includes the designation of Webster Hall, a proposed extension of the NoHo Historic District, and a hearing on St. Michael’s Church. Legal updates feature court decisions on PS 64’s dormitory conversion, a variance challenge in Red Hook, and the City’s lawsuit to preserve the Windermere Apartments. The issue concludes with a profile of architects John Belle and Richard Southwick, reflecting on four decades of preservation work in New York City.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 2

  Center for New York City Law

  The March 2008 issue of CityLand covers significant land use developments and legal decisions in New York City. Highlights include City Council hearings on Solow Properties’ East Side development and Community Board 6’s 197-a plan, the approval of Karl Fischer-designed condos in Borough Park, and the Planning Commission’s actions on the Sunnyside Gardens Historic District and Grand Street rezoning in Williamsburg. The issue also reports on BFC Partners’ affordable housing project in Stapleton, Staten Island. BSA hearings include the Trump SoHo condo-hotel appeal and a variance request by Congregation Shearith Israel. Landmark coverage features the controversial Domino Sugar Factory redevelopment, the designation of Jamaica Savings Bank and the American Bank Note Company printing plant, and the calendaring of NYU’s Silver Towers. A federal court ruling upholds the Atlantic Yards project. The issue concludes with a profile of EDC President Seth Pinsky and his vision for economic development in New York City.

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  CityLand – Vol. 5, No. 1

  Center for New York City Law

  The February 2008 issue of CityLand highlights major land use developments and legal decisions in New York City. Key stories include the City Council’s approval of Columbia University’s Manhattanville expansion and Community Board 9’s 197-a plan, the designation of the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company Historic District, and the approval of Solow’s modified development plan for the former Con Edison site. The issue also covers the proposed Hudson Square North rezoning, the creation of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, and the Planning Commission’s approval of Kaufman Astoria Studios’ mixed-use development. Landmark designations include the DUMBO Historic District and hearings on the Allerton House and Congregation Tifereth Israel. Legal coverage includes the dismissal of an Article 78 challenge to the Atlantic Yards project. The issue concludes with a profile of Council Member Melinda Katz and her insights on affordable housing and infrastructure challenges.