On February 2, 2009 the Department of City Planning certified the Uniform Land Use Review (ULURP) application (C 090303 ZMX) and referred the related text change application (N 090302 ZRX) for the Lower Concourse Rezoning to begin the formal public review process. In addition to the applications for zoning text and zoning map amendments, a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was issued on January 30, 2009. On April 1, 2009, a public hearing was held for both the DEIS and ULURP applications. Comments were accepted at the hearing and for ten days following the hearing, until April 13th, 2009. All relevant comments were incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and a Notice of Completion for the FEIS was issued on May 8, 2009.

Project Milestones

Milestones	Target Dates
Department of City Planning certification	February 2,  2009 - view presentation
Community Board 1 Approval	February 26, 2009
Bronx Borough President Conditional Approval	March 26, 2009
City Planning Approval (with modifications*) Read the CPC Reports	May 20, 2009
City Council Approval	June 30, 2009

*CPC Modifications On May 20, 2009, the City Planning Commission approved with modifications the Zoning Text and  Zoning Map amendments. The modifications were made in response to comments received during the public review process.  The modifications include the following: Zoning Map Change: The Commission modified the proposal to retain the existing M1-2 zoning for the blocks between Canal Place and Rider Avenue south of the prolongation of 142nd Street which had been proposed to be rezoned to MX: M1-4/R6A. Adopted Modified Zoning Map with Special Harlem River Waterfront District - View a larger image. Zoning Text Changes: FOOD STORES The Commission modified the proposal to allow food stores, up to 30,000 square feet in M1-4 Districts in Bronx Community District 1. The original proposal allowed food stores as-of-right without regard to size. SPECIAL HARLEM RIVER WATERFRONT DISTRICT The Commission modified the regulations of the Special Harlem River Waterfront District (HRW) to address site conditions and facilitate greater flexibility in the development of Parcels 1 and 5 on the waterfront. The design and bulk requirements for Parcel 1 were modified to account for a sewer easement that traverses the property.  On Parcel 1, at least one main entrance of a building must face the shore public walkway, no street wall would be required along the portion of East 149th Street, the location of a second tower on a zoning lot must be within 120 feet of East 149th Street and open parking would  be permitted.  The regulations governing Parcel 5 were modified so that commercial or public utility vehicle storage, open or enclosed, including accessory motor fuel pumps as listed in Use Group 16C and  limited to 10,000 square feet,  would be a permitted use, and a reduced shore public walkway would be required. Read the modified zoning text. For additional information, contact the Department of City Planning's Bronx Borough Office at 718.220.8500.