Environmental Impact Assessment At County Building Department

Manhattan County Building Department is reviewing a proposal for rezoning of the eastern end of Block 675 and additional land use actions necessary for the development of two new mixed-use buildings.

On November 20, 2017, the New York City Department of City Planning, on behalf of the City Planning Commission as lead agency, issued a Notice of Completion for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Block 675 East proposal.

This development was reviewed by Building Violation LLC (www.BuildingViolation.com) that resolves building violations in New York City and nationwide.

The proposed actions, which are described more fully below, include zoning text amendments to Article VIII Chapter 9 of the Zoning Resolution (Special Hudson River Park District), amendments to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution, and special permits pursuant to Section 89-21 of the Special Hudson River Park District. The applicants are also seeking zoning map amendments to rezone the Project Area from an M2-3 manufacturing district to a C6-4X commercial district, which would permit residential, community facility, and local retail and service uses as well as increased density subject to the Special Hudson River Park District regulations.

According to Building Violation Committee research of the DEIS, in addition to the Project Area, the area affected by the proposed actions includes a portion of Hudson River Park, which is the granting site for the transfer of floor area to the project sites; the granting site as well as the receiving sites would be mapped as part of the Special Hudson River Park District through zoning map and text amendments. The proposed projects will also require Chairperson Certifications pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 89-21 of the Special Hudson River Park District to allow building permits to be issued, on the basis that the applicants and Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) have agreed on payment terms for the proposed transfer of development rights.

As described in Section D, “Purpose and Need,” the transfer of floor area to the project sites is intended to provide funds for significant improvements to Hudson River Park. Options include an over-water pedestrian platform between West 58th and West 59th Streets, completion of Pier 97 as a public recreation pier, construction of an upland park in the area adjacent to Pier 97, construction of permanent esplanade and improved vehicular circulation in the upland area between the northern edge of Pier 79 and Pier 84, construction of new park in the upland area between West 29th Street and the southern edge of Pier 76, infrastructure restoration of the historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridge at Pier 66a, and upgrades to Chelsea Waterside Park. Bulkhead repairs may be required in some of these areas.

In addition, HRPT has stated that it intends to set aside 20 percent of the total value of the transfers for future capital maintenance needs within the Community Board 4 area. These funds would be for capital maintenance and reconstruction of park areas such as pile repairs, dock repairs, bulkhead repairs, playgrounds, paving, landscaping, lighting and utility repairs or replacement, roof or other structural repairs and replacements at park buildings (as opposed to park/commercial buildings as defined in the Hudson River Park Act), or other capitally eligible park items.

Hudson River Park (the Park) is an approximately 550-acre publicly accessible open space that spans from the northern edge of Battery Park City to West 59th Street along the Hudson River. The Park generally contains a waterfront esplanade with upland areas improved with landscaping, seating areas, lawns, courts, and dog runs. The Park also includes numerous piers that have been improved as recreational resources. As described below, there are a number of incomplete park areas within the Community Board 4 area of Hudson River Park.

According to Building Violation Committee, a life quality and safety political action committee formed by Building Violation LLC, a public hearing on the DEIS will be held at a later date to be announced.

Advance notice will be given of the time and place of the hearing. Stay tuned.