FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2004
CONTACT: Rachaele
Raynoff, Press Secretary -- (212) 720-3471
CITY PLANNING ANNOUNCES
BEGINNING OF PUBLIC REVIEW FOR PROPOSED
CLINTON HEIGHT
CONTROLS TO PROTECT CHARACTER OF THE WEST SIDE COMMUNITY
July 26, 2004 – The Department of City Planning
(DCP) has officially launched the public review of
its proposal to limit building heights along Ninth
and Tenth Avenues in the Clinton section of Manhattan’s
west side, DCP Director Amanda M. Burden announced
today. The proposal responds to community concerns
that existing zoning controls permit development along
Ninth and Tenth Avenues to be considerably taller than
many existing buildings along the avenues, and could
result in "sore thumb" buildings that are
out of character with their neighbors. The proposed
text amendment would establish new height controls
to ensure that new development is consistent with the
scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood.
The Preservation Area of the Special Clinton District
area is bounded by on the north by 56th Street and
43rd Street to the south, roughly between Eighth and
Tenth Avenues.
"As important as it is to promote growth for
the future of the city, we must also recognize the
need to preserve the lower-scaled quality that makes
a neighborhood like Clinton in Manhattan so special," said
Ms. Burden, noting that the proposed text amendment
responds to the community's concerns about inappropriate
development.
To maintain Clinton’s special character,
the Department is proposing that the overall height
of
new development and enlargements along the avenues
be limited to 85 feet (approx 8 stories) with a streetwall
between 5 or 6 stories. The proposed bulk controls
would continue to accommodate allowable floor area
as well as the higher floor-to-ceiling height for ground
floor retail uses, but would ensure that new development
is compatible with the existing character of Clinton.
Current zoning has required a height limit for new
development on the side streets in the Preservation
Area of the Clinton District, but zoning controls along
the avenues have been much more flexible, permitting
buildings on large lots that are considerably taller
than surrounding buildings.
The preservation of the
character of Ninth Avenue to the South of 43rd Street
is an integral part of the proposed
360-acre Hudson Yards comprehensive plan. The proposal,
which is intended to promote commercial and residential
growth, nonetheless retains the existing zoning along
Ninth Avenue within the Hudson Yards.
Community Board 4 now has 60 days to review the Clinton
Heights proposal, after which it will go to the Borough
President, the City Planning Commission and the City
Council as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use
Review Procedure (ULURP). The proposed rezoning is one
of a number completed, undergoing public review or in
the works that have been initiated by the Bloomberg administration
to preserve the character of residential neighborhoods
throughout the city.
Please visit the DCP website for information on other projects and proposals and the ULURP
process.
City Planning
The Department of City Planning is responsible for
the City's physical and socioeconomic planning,
including land use and environmental review; preparation
of
plans and policies; and provision of technical
assistance and planning information to government
agencies,
public
officials, and community boards.
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