Contextual Planning Zones To Be Amended – Informational Meeting on Wednesday, January 23 at 6:30pm

Written by Welcome on Jan 16, 2008

WHAT: Informational Community Meeting on Proposal to Amend Zoning Text for Contextual Zoning Districts
WHEN: Wednesday, January 23, 6:30 PM
WHERE: General Society for Mechanics & Tradesmen, 20 W. 44th Street. (Located in third floor classrooms of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America)

Contextual zones have been embraced across New York City as means for communities to protect the scale and character of their neighborhoods by guiding development to be in context with existing buildings. Contextual zones have been instituted in hundreds of blocks across the city, often after long, community-based struggles against inappropriate development.

Contextual zoning works to ensure balanced development that sustains the best features of New York’s neighborhoods, including:
* Putting limits on building base heights to preserve light and air on our city’s sidewalks and other public spaces
* Putting limits on the size of rooftop bulkheads (i.e., HVAC equipment, elevator equipment, etc.)
* Preservation of open space, light and air in buildings’ rear and side yards

The American Institute of Architects, NYC Chapter is proposing a series of zoning text changes to amend these zones.

The proposed amendments would allow:
* Increased base lot coverage on small corner lots and allow multi-family buildings on small lots in medium and high density residential zones and their commercial equivalents.
* Increased Rooftop Bulkheads.
* Allow rear dormers in rear setbacks and allow taller maximum base heights in medium and high density residential zones.
* Allow for a waiver of side yard requirements in lower-density zones through a special issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals.

The proposal was quietly introduced by letter to the city’s community boards in October 2007 (which did not allow for Community Board meetings to be scheduled until December), and we understand that the amendments are scheduled for a public hearing at the City Planning Commission on February 13th. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has asked for this hearing to be postponed until the public can thoroughly review the proposal and get the full story. Several Community Boards in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan have rejected this proposal and asked for more time and more input in the process, but it’s still moving ahead. If it passes City Planning, it will go to City Council where, if approved, it will pass into Law.

Where does your Council member stand on this sweeping proposal?

Do not miss this opportunity to learn about major zoning changes that, if approved, will significantly alter the character of New York’s neighborhoods!
Come to the meeting, learn the details of the proposal and hear the concerns of representatives of neighborhoods across the City. HDC President and urban planner Paul Graziano will explain the details of the proposal; and will be joined by Community Board Land Use members from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan – as well as Council member Tony Avella, Chair of the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises.

The full proposal is available at: http://www.aiany.org/planningurban/

Bring your questions and concerns! RSVP to [email protected] now!