Follow

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 11

  Center for New York City Law

  The December 2009 issue of CityLand covers major land use, preservation, and legal developments in New York City. The City Council approved a modified plan for the Western Rail Yard in Hudson Yards, securing permanently affordable housing. It rejected the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment due to the lack of a living wage provision. The Council also approved a rezoning in West Harlem and a controversial plan for the Broadway Triangle in Williamsburg. Landmark actions included the designation of the Paramount Hotel and one of the B.F. Goodrich Company Buildings, while denying designation of its sister building. Landmarks also reviewed a rooftop addition proposal in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. Legal updates include a court ruling against the Empire State Development Corporation’s use of eminent domain for Columbia University’s expansion, and a decision upholding the City’s redevelopment plan for Willets Point. Administrative decisions addressed construction violations, contractor responsibility, and trade fixture compensation. The issue concludes with a profile of Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick, highlighting his work on affordable housing, land use mediation, and stalled construction site safety.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 10

  Center for New York City Law

  The November 2009 issue of CityLand covers major land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved a modified version of Hines’s proposed MoMA tower, capping its height at 1,050 feet and reducing its hotel component. New legislation was passed to preserve permits for stalled construction sites. The Council also debated the FRESH program to incentivize grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods and approved residential developments on City Island and in Carroll Gardens. The City Planning Commission approved the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment and heard testimony on the Sunset Park 197-a Plan. BSA granted a special permit for FIT’s new academic building. Landmark actions included the designation of the Lamartine Place Historic District, the S. Jarmulowsky Bank Building, and the Ocean on the Park Historic District. Hearings were held for the SoHo-Cast Iron and Greenwich Village Historic District extensions. The issue concludes with a guest commentary on parkland concessions and a profile of Wilhelm Ronda, Director of Planning for the Bronx Borough President.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 9

  Center for New York City Law

  The October 2009 issue of CityLand covers significant land use and preservation developments across New York City. The City Council approved rezoning plans for the 161st Street/River Avenue corridor in the Bronx and for Sunset Park in Brooklyn, aiming to promote affordable housing and contextual development. The Council also approved the Navy Green mixed-use project in Wallabout and a Fort Greene development at 470 Vanderbilt Avenue. The City Planning Commission approved a reduced-height version of the Jean Nouvel-designed MoMA tower and a residential development on City Island. BSA decisions included a denied variance for a commercial building in Staten Island and an approved hotel variance in Long Island City. Landmark actions included the designation of the Ridgewood North Historic District and Horton’s Row flats in Staten Island, approval of a preschool conversion in the Upper West Side, and redesign of SoHo bus bulbs. The issue also features an audit of HPD’s Cornerstone Program and a profile of Joshua Benson, Acting Director of Bicycle & Pedestrian Programs at DOT, discussing the City’s bike infrastructure initiatives.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 8

  Center for New York City Law

  The September 2009 issue of CityLand highlights key land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved a special permit for a residential project in Carnegie Hill and denied a sidewalk café permit for Spitzer’s Corner on the Lower East Side. The City Planning Commission held hearings on the FRESH grocery store incentive program, the Carroll Gardens/Columbia Street rezoning, and a City Island development seeking a height waiver. The Commission also approved the Sunset Park rezoning plan. BSA decisions included variances for residential use in Mott Haven and a rear yard waiver in Crown Heights. Landmark hearings featured the B.F. Goodrich buildings and nine Staten Island properties, including the Staten Island Armory and Christ Church. Landmarks also proposed a fee increase for new building and alteration applications. Legal updates include a court ruling on the NYPD’s Joint Operations Command Center and administrative decisions on illegal signage and pay phone advertising. The issue concludes with a profile of Laurie Silberfeld, General Counsel of the Hudson River Park Trust, discussing the park’s development and future.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 7

  Center for New York City Law

  The August 2009 issue of CityLand covers major land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved the Port Authority’s ARC rail station project, rezoning plans for Middle Village/Maspeth, Flatbush, DUMBO, and Greenpoint-Williamsburg, and a modified Coney Island revitalization plan with increased affordable housing and preservation of the Wonder Wheel. The Department of City Planning withdrew its Brighton Beach rezoning proposal due to stakeholder disagreements. Landmark coverage includes final approval of the St. Vincent’s Hospital redevelopment, hearings on the West Park Presbyterian Church and IRT Powerhouse designations, and criticism of a proposed rooftop addition in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. BSA decisions include vested rights for a hotel in Corona and various variances and special permits. Legal updates feature a court ruling on DOI’s subpoena power, a malpractice claim over zoning advice, and a commentary on eminent domain and public-private partnerships. The issue concludes with a profile of Sherida Paulsen, President of AIA New York, discussing architectural challenges and preservation policy.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 6

  Center for New York City Law

  The July 2009 issue of CityLand highlights major land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved Fordham University’s Lincoln Center expansion plan with modifications to building height and bulk, and passed Two Trees Management’s Dock Street DUMBO development despite controversy over views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The Council also approved rezoning plans for Canarsie, Cord Meyer–Forest Hills, and the Lower Concourse in the Bronx, aiming to preserve neighborhood character and improve waterfront access. The City Planning Commission advanced the modified Coney Island redevelopment plan. BSA decisions included vested rights approval for a Lower East Side hotel and a variance for Trevor Day School’s new building. Landmark actions featured the designation of the Prospect Heights Historic District, approval of BAM’s new theater, and denial of a rear yard addition at West 68th Street. Legal updates include a remand of a vested rights claim in Van Cortlandt Village and a court order for advance payment in a Staten Island condemnation case. The issue concludes with a profile of Vin Cipolla, Executive Director of the Municipal Art Society.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 5

  Center for New York City Law

  The June 2009 issue of CityLand covers major land use and preservation developments in New York City. The City Council approved Two Trees Management’s controversial Dock Street DUMBO development and its Clinton Park mixed-use tower. The City Planning Commission held hearings on the comprehensive Coney Island rezoning and a proposed Brighton Beach rezoning, both met with community concerns. Staten Island’s Cross Access Connection proposal was advanced to reduce traffic congestion. Landmark coverage includes the designation of the Fillmore Place and Audubon Park Historic Districts, and hearings on the St. Vincent’s Hospital redevelopment and a preschool conversion in the Upper West Side. BSA decisions include a variance for an autism school and an extension for a Carroll Gardens development. Legal updates include a $1.1 million settlement for repairs to the Windermere building, enforcement of party wall maintenance, and a federal court ruling on RLUIPA’s “equal terms” provision. The issue concludes with a profile of Robin Stout and the future of the Moynihan Station project.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 4

  Center for New York City Law

  The May 2009 issue of CityLand highlights significant land use and legal developments in New York City. The City Council approved revisions to waterfront access regulations and adopted new bicycle parking requirements for a wide range of developments. The North Flushing rezoning and the creation of the R1-2A contextual zoning district were approved to curb out-of-scale development, while the Cord Meyer rezoning was proposed to preserve neighborhood character. BSA decisions included a variance for affordable housing in Crotona Park East and vested rights approval for a transient hotel in Laurelton. Landmark coverage featured a controversial legalization request for an illegal addition on West 68th Street and approval of revised plans for Washington Square Park. Legal updates include court rulings on the Brooklyn House of Detention expansion, the Union Square Pavilion restaurant relocation, and the constitutionality of outdoor advertising regulations. The issue concludes with a profile of land use attorney Ross Moskowitz and his insights on public-private partnerships and development challenges.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 3

  Center for New York City Law

  The April 2009 issue of CityLand covers a wide range of land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. Highlights include the City Council’s approval of the Battery Maritime Building redevelopment, including a boutique hotel addition, and the rezoning of North Corona and Forest Hills to curb out-of-character development. The Council also approved Toll Brothers’ Gowanus Canal waterfront project despite concerns over affordable housing guarantees. The City Planning Commission modified parking requirements for a Clinton development and approved a text amendment for Hudson Yards to facilitate residential construction. Landmark actions include approval of St. Vincent’s revised hospital design and the reconstruction of Pier 15 in the South Street Seaport Historic District. Legal updates include court rulings on the Atlantic Yards blight designation and a BSA permit denial overturned for a Midwood condo. The issue concludes with a profile of Leonard Wasserman and a guest commentary on the proposed zoning development challenge process.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 2

  Center for New York City Law

  The March 2009 issue of CityLand covers a wide range of land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. Highlights include the City Council’s approval of the Gateway Shopping Center in East New York and the Phipps Houses affordable housing project in Kips Bay. The issue also reports on the establishment of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID and the modification of the North Corona rezoning to support local businesses. The City Planning Commission reviewed Two Trees’ Clinton Park development and proposed bicycle parking regulations. Landmark actions include the designation of Chase Manhattan Plaza and the Alice and Agate Courts Historic District. BSA decisions addressed Cornell’s expansion, open space access at Park West Village, and a variance for residential use in SoHo. Legal updates include a court ruling on transient hotel use on the Upper West Side and EDC’s successful reclaiming of the Corn Exchange Bank building. The issue concludes with a profile of LPC Chair Robert B. Tierney and his five-borough preservation strategy.

• 

  CityLand – Vol. 6, No. 1

  Center for New York City Law

  The February 2009 issue of CityLand covers a wide range of land use, zoning, and preservation developments in New York City. Highlights include the City Council’s approval of the Via Verde housing project in Melrose, Bronx, and a special permit for hotel and retail use at the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo. The City Planning Commission reviewed Toll Brothers’ proposed development along the Gowanus Canal and approved amendments to the Clinton Theater Bonus zoning text. The Department of City Planning held a scoping hearing for Vornado’s 15 Penn Plaza redevelopment. BSA decisions addressed vested rights in Homecrest and upheld a building permit in Williamsburg despite rooftop access litigation. Landmark actions included the designation of 275 Madison Avenue and hearings on the Lamartine Place and Ridgewood North Historic Districts. Legal updates include a court ruling in favor of Trump SoHo and a federal injunction protecting a church’s catering agreement. The issue concludes with a profile of Daniel C. Walsh and the City’s new brownfield cleanup initiative.