District Plan Amendments

The district plan describes the programs and services to be delivered by the BID, the operating budget for the BID and the formula used to calculate the special assessment. When a BID expands its boundaries, it is required to change its district plan. This is the most common type of district plan amendment. However, your BID may want to amend its district plan for another reason that is specific to the service needs, physical conditions, changing priorities or other unique circumstances of your district, such as changing an activity that the BID undertakes or the type of assessment collected.

A BID should revisit their district plan approximately every five years or when major changes are needed and should consider changes in language to reflect changes in:

• Amenities that are managed by the BID
• Improvements that are maintained by the BID
• Streetscape or other capital improvements whose maintenance is the responsibility of the BID
• Services provided by the BID

It is not necessary to change the district plan each time the BID takes on a new project or service so remember to keep district plan language timeless. 

As with boundary extensions, your first step is to contact SBS so that a staff member can be assigned to guide you through the process. Below is an outline of the steps involved in district plan amendment planning, outreach, and legislative processes:

Planning and Outreach Process

STEP 1:  BID staff meets with SBS to discuss and agree on district amendment process.

STEP 2:  BID conducts a comprehensive outreach campaign to gain support for the amended plan including one public meeting and obtaining support from the local City Council  member(s).

STEP 3:  BID staff prepares memo to SBS Commissioner providing justification for the district plan amendment and requesting permission to proceed.

STEP 4:  After receiving approval from SBS Commissioner, the BID submits a draft of its amended BID plan to the Department of Small Business Services for approval.

STEP 5:  SBS Legal Division reviews and approves the amended BID plan.

STEP 6:  BID Board of Directors approves the final amended BID plan.

Legislative Process

STEP 7:  SBS Legal Division prepares a draft of BID legislation, resolution, and memo-of-support for New York City’sLaw Department to review.

STEP 8:  New York City’s Law Department approves legislation and resolution.

STEP 9:  The New York City Council sets a public hearing date upon the receipt of an approved law and resolution from the Law Department and a request from the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs. 

STEP 10:  The BID notifies property owners of the public hearing by mail and publishes a public hearing notice in a local newspaper.

STEP 11:  The New York City Council holds a public hearing.

STEP 12:  City Council votes on the BID legislation to amend the district plan.

STEP 13:  The Mayor signs BID amended district plan into law.

STEP 14:  If the district plan amendment includes an assessment increase or a change in the assessment formula, SBS prepares new billing and the Finance Department mails statements to property owners in the district.