Today, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises
and Committee on Land Use approved the SoHo/NoHo Rezoning with
modifications. In this Client Alert, we summarize the
modifications and outline the final steps in effectuating the
SoHo/NoHo Rezoning.
On November 9, 2021 the City Council's Subcommittee on Zoning
and Franchises held a public hearing on the SoHo/NoHo Rezoning (to
read about the Subcommittee hearing, click here.) In October, the City Planning
Commission ("CPC") approved the SoHo/NoHo Rezoning and,
with the final two subcommittees giving their approval today, the
proposal is expected to go into effect by the end of 2021. To read
about the CPC approval, click here, and to learn more about the SoHo/NoHo
Rezoning, click here.
The subcommittees, in approving the rezoning, modified the rezoning
in a number of important ways. The modifications include the
following:
- Lowering heights in appropriate locations
- Reducing the maximum permitted commercial floor area ratio (FAR) in a majority of the rezoning area
- Restricting dormitory and university uses
- Imposing a maximum permitted square footage on eating and drinking establishments
- Implementing a CPC special permit for large-scale retail uses in excess of 25,000 sq. ft.
- Requiring deeper affordability by removing MIH Option 2
The CPC must review these proposed modifications before the full City Council can make the final vote. The CPC must review these proposed modifications before the full City Council can make the final vote, which is expected to happen next week.
While the Mayor has the authority to veto a City Council land
use decision, it is well known that Mayor de Blasio is in full
support of this rezoning and will not veto the City Council's
approval. With today's votes, the SoHo/NoHo Rezoning is on
track to be approved and enacted by the end of the year.
The Stroock Land Use, Zoning and Environmental Team will be
diligently following the completion of this rezoning and we look
forward to proving updates on land use and zoning actions during
the next administration.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.