Staten Island Growth Management of City Planning

Department of City Planning - "Shaping the City's Future"

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Projects & Proposals > Staten Island > S. I. Growth Management

Staten Island Growth Management
Work in Progress

Overview
Residential Regulation Changes - Approved August 12th, 2004
Commercial Overlay Boundary Changes/Eliminations - Approved October 11th, 2005
LDGMA Follow-Up Text Amendments - Approved December 8th, 2005
Commercial Regulation Changes - Approved December 21st, 2005
Commercial Rezonings - Approved December 21st, 2005
Work in Progress

The Task Force is continuing to pursue further changes that will create a new commercial district to be mapped in select locations to encourage the preservation and revitalization of pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development neighborhoods – which historically are many of Staten Island's Town Centers. The new district rules will build upon the existing built form and transit connections found in these town centers and provide appropriate building heights, envelopes and parking locations.

In addition, in conjunction with recommendations of the Mayor's Staten Island Transportation Task Force, additional rules requiring access between large commercial parking lots have been proposed.

DCP is drafting recommendations for Task Force review in 2007. The on-going Work in Progress and other issues raised by the Task Force members will be addressed at the next meeting of the Task Force.

Task Force Recommendations

Create a New Town Center Zoning District and Map it in Appropriate Locations

Street-level retail or community facilities only
Incentives for mixed use development
Continuous retail street wall
Glazing/Transparency for retail uses

The Task Force proposes new regulations to encourage pedestrian-friendly retail environments in the existing historic town centers and areas where parking in front of commercial establishments would be out of character with the neighborhood (e.g., New Dorp Lane and Amboy Road at Pleasant Plains). A pedestrian shopping experience should be encouraged by requiring transparent retail windows along the sidewalk frontage and parking would not be permitted between the sidewalk and retail buildings. Incentives should be provided to encourage mixed-use developments consistent with existing land use patterns in these areas.

Require Pedestrian/Vehicle Access Between Adjacent Parking Lots
Many of the Task Force's recommendations regarding parking lot design have been incorporated into the proposed city-wide text amendment for Parking Lot Design Guidelines which was certified by the City Planning Commission on June 18, 2007. These new rules establish increased landscaping requirements, prohibit dumpsters from being located adjacent to public streets, set limits on curb cuts and require that all parking lot designs filed with the Department of Buildings meet maneuverability standards.

The Task Force also recommended that adjacent commercial parking lots accommodate shared parking opportunities by requiring both off-street pedestrian and vehicular access between properties. Requiring access between retail establishments will reduce vehicular traffic on streets and/or encourage shoppers to park in one location and shop at several establishments without moving their vehicles. DCP is crafting a proposed text amendment to reflect this recommendation for Staten Island and will present it at the next Task Force meeting. This recommendation is also supported by the Mayor's Staten Island Transportation Task Force.