The Department of City Planning (DCP) proposes zoning map changes and text amendments to the Special City Island District. The proposal aims to preserve City Island’s low-rise/low-density character, maintain the “village” quality of City Island Avenue’s shopping district, and enhance community access to the waterfront. These recommendations are in keeping with goals delineated in the Department of City Planning’s 2001 City Island Maritime Heritage Preservation Summary Report.

City Island is located in Long Island Sound south of Orchard Beach, and is connected by bridge to the eastern shore of the Bronx in Community District 10. It is about a mile-and-a-half long and a half-mile wide at its widest point. The island’s main street, City Island Avenue, runs the length of the island from the bridge to the southern end at Belden Point. It is primarily a residential neighborhood, but it is also well known for its popular seafood restaurants. There are also a number of marinas, yacht clubs and marine-manufacturing firms, all a legacy of City Island’s illustrious maritime past. Wherever you are on City Island, you are never far from a beautiful view of the water.

Modestly scaled detached homes

Most of the residential areas of City Island are zoned R3-2, the lowest density zoning district in which attached or semi-detached multiple dwellings are permitted. However, most residential buildings on City Island are detached houses that are built at much lower bulk and density than the current zoning permits. City Island has begun to experience construction of new attached multifamily housing that replaces single-family detached houses.

To ensure that new development is in keeping with the existing built context, the Department proposes to rezone most of the existing R3-2 area on City Island to R3A, a district permitting only one- and two-family detached houses. A two-block area that is characterized by large single-family suburban-style homes would be rezoned to R2.

To strengthen the existing Special City Island District, the Department proposes to amend the special district text, focusing on three areas: urban design elements related to residential uses in the proposed R3A and R2 districts and commercial uses along City Island Avenue; landscaping and screening requirements for parking lots containing 10 or more spaces; and provisions for waterfront public access on new residential developments on large lots.

View a larger size graphic

View a larger size graphic

Public Review Process
On May 19, 2003, the Department of City Planning certified the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) application for proposed zoning map amendments (C030467ZMX). This application, along with the non-ULURP proposed City Island Special District text amendment (N030468ZRX), was referred to Community Board 10 for a 60-day review period. Community Board 10 held a public hearing on June 19, 2003, at which it voted unanimously to approve the application. The Borough President’s office held a public hearing on July 3, 2003. The Borough President issued his recommendation on July 22, 2003, approving the applications with modifications/conditions. The City Planning Commission held a public hearing on the applications on August 13, 2003 and approved both applications on September 10, 2003 (read the CPC Reports: zoning map change, zoning text change). The City Council adopted the proposal on September 30, 2003. The amended zoning text and map are now in effect

For more information on the City Island Rezoning Proposal, contact the Department of City Planning, Bronx Office, (718) 220-8500.