File #: Res 1360-2012    Version: * Name: LU 605 - Zoning, Special Hudson Yards District (N 120171 ZRM)
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Land Use
On agenda: 5/31/2012
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on Application No. N 120171 ZRM, for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, concerning Article IX, Chapter 3 (Special Hudson Yards District) (L.U. No. 605).
Sponsors: Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Mark S. Weprin
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-31-12
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
RESOLUTION NO. 1360
 
 
Resolution approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on Application No. N 120171 ZRM, for an amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, concerning Article IX, Chapter 3 (Special Hudson Yards District) (L.U. No. 605).
 
 
By Council Members Comrie and Weprin
 
           WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission filed with the Council on April 27, 2012 its decision dated April 25, 2012 (the "Decision"), pursuant to Section 201 of the New York City Charter, regarding an application submitted by the New York City Department of City Planning, for an amendment of the text of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, concerning Article IX, Chapter 3 (Special Hudson Yards District) (Application No. N 120171 ZRM), Community District 4, Borough of Manhattan (the "Application");
 
      WHEREAS, the Application is related to Application N 120176 ZRM (L.U. No. 604), an amendment to the text of the Zoning Resolution;
 
          WHEREAS, the Decision is subject to review and action by the Council pursuant to Section 197-d(b)(1) of the City Charter;
           WHEREAS, upon due notice, the Council held a public hearing on the Decision and Application on May 22, 2012;
 
           WHEREAS, the Council has considered the land use implications and other policy issues relating to the Decision and Application; and
 
      WHEREAS, the Council has considered the relevant environmental issues and the Negative Declaration, issued on January 25, 2012 (CEQR No. 12DCP095M);
 
RESOLVED:
 
      The Council finds that the action described herein will have no significant adverse impact on the environment.
 
Pursuant to Sections 197-d and 200 of the City Charter and on the basis of the Decision and Application, and based on the environmental determination and consideration described in this report, N 120171 ZRM, incorporated by reference herein, the Council approves the Decision.
           
The Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, effective as of December 15, 1961, and as subsequently amended, is further amended as follows:  
 
Matter in underline is new, to be added;
Matter in strikeout is to be deleted;
Matter with # # is defined in Section 12-10;
* * * indicates where unchanged text appears in the Zoning Resolution
 
Article IX - Special Purpose Districts
 
Chapter 3
Special Hudson Yards District
 
* * *
 
93-01
DEFINITIONS
 
High Line
For the purpose of this Chapter, the "High Line" shall refer to the elevated rail line structure, including without limitation sidetracks and spurs, located between Gansevoort Street and West 34th Street in the north-south direction, and between Washington Street/Tenth Avenue and Twelfth Avenue in the east-west direction.
 
ERY High Line
For the purpose of this Chapter, the #ERY High Line# shall refer to the portion of the #High Line# between the western #street line# of Tenth Avenue and the western #street line# of Eleventh Avenue north of West 30th Street.
 
Tenth Avenue Spur
For the purpose of this Chapter, the #Tenth Avenue Spur # shall refer to the portion of the #High Line# above the intersection of Tenth Avenue and West 30th Street.
 
High Line Rehabilitation Deposit
For the purpose of this Chapter, the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# shall be in the amount of  $9,580,763 for the #ERY High Line#, and, if the #Tenth Avenue Spur# is provided as a public access area pursuant to Section 93-71, in the amount of $12,203,234 , as adjusted by changes in the construction cost index published by ENR for New York City commencing as of January, 2012. Payment of the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# shall be in the form of cash or other form of immediately available funds if plans and specifications for rehabilitation of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, have been substantially completed as of the time of the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# is required, and if such plans and specifications have not been substantially completed at the time the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# is required, in the form of cash or a cash equivalent, such as letter of credit, in a form acceptable to the City. The #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# shall be held by the City or an instrumentality of the City as the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission shall designate, and shall be applied exclusively to the rehabilitation of the #ERY High Line# and , if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# .
 
High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit
For the purpose of this Chapter, the # High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit# shall be in the amount of $18,214,507 for the #ERY High Line#, and, if the #Tenth Avenue Spur# is provided as a public access area pursuant to Section 93-71, in the amount of $23,200,228, as adjusted by changes in the construction cost index published by ENR for New York City commencing as of January 2012. Payment of the #High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit# shall be in the form of cash or other form of immediately available funds. The #High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit# shall be held by the City or an instrumentality of the City as the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission shall designate, and shall be applied exclusively to the to the improvement for public use of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# .
 
High Line Maintenance Funding
For the purpose of this Chapter, #High Line Maintenance Funding# shall mean funding sufficient
for the maintenance and ordinary repair of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# in an amount acceptable to the city, as adjusted on an annual basis.
 
93-10
USE REGULATIONS
 
The #use# regulations of the underlying districts are modified as set forth in this Section, inclusive.
 
The only permitted change of #use# for the #High Line# shall be to provide publicly accessible open space in accordance with the provisions of Section 93-71 (Public Access Areas in the Eastern Rail Yards Subarea A1) and Section 93-75 (Publicly Accessible Open Spaces in Subdistrict F).
 
* * *
 
93-51
Special Height and Setback Regulations in the Large-Scale Plan Subdistrict A
 
* * *
 
 
 
93-514
Eastern Rail Yards Subarea A1
 
(a)       Location of #buildings#
 
#Buildings# shall be located only in the following areas:
 
(1)       east of the southerly prolongation of the eastern sidewalk widening line of Hudson Boulevard East;
 
(2)       west of the southerly prolongation of the western sidewalk widening line of Hudson Boulevard West and within 220 feet of West 33rd Street; and
 
(3)       west of the southerly prolongation of the eastern sidewalk widening line of Hudson Boulevard East and within 220 feet of West 30th Street, provided that either:
 
(i)       such area contains only #uses# in Use Groups 3 and 4; or
 
(ii)       where such area includes #residential use#:
 
(a)       such #residential use# is permitted only in a #building# located west of the southerly prolongation of the western sidewalk widening line of Hudson Boulevard West, and such #building# may also include #uses# in Use Groups 3, 4, 6A and 6C; and
 
(b)       a #building# containing only #uses# in Use Groups 3 or 4 may be located not closer than 50 feet east of such prolongation.
 
(4)       for any #building# located at or above the elevation of the #High Line bed# which faces the #ERY High Line#, the #street wall# shall not be located closer than five feet to the edge of the #ERY High Line# and such five foot separation shall remain unobstructed, from the level of the #High Line bed# adjacent to such #building# to the sky. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any #building located partly within 335 feet of the Tenth Avenue #street line#, any portion thereof of up to 280 feet in width, as measured parallel to West 30th Street, may be located above the #High Line bed# at a height of 60 feet or more measured from the #High Line bed# provided such portion has a maximum width of 200 feet along the West 30th Street #street line# and a maximum average width of 240 feet. Structural columns and related architectural features placed within the maximum width of 200 feet along the West 30th Street #street line# supporting such portion of the #building# may be located within five feet of the southern edge of the #ERY High Line#, and such columns and related architectural features shall, when viewed in elevation along West 30th Street, occupy no more than 50 percent of the measured area of such elevation located within the maximum width of 200 feet along the West 30th Street #street line# , from the mean level of the adjoining public sidewalk to a height of 60 feet above the level of the #High Line bed#. A maximum of thirty percent of such measured area may be constructed of opaque materials. Additionally, such columns and related architectural features shall, when viewed in elevation along West 30th Street, occupy no more than 45 percent of the measured area of such elevation located within the maximum width of 200 feet along the West 30th Street #street line#, from the level of the #High Line bed# to a height of 25 feet above the level of the #High Line bed#.
 
* * *
 
93-70
PUBLIC ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL SITES
Public access shall be provided for special sites as specified in this Section, inclusive. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Section, inclusive, and any underlying regulation, the provisions of this Section shall govern.
 
No building permit shall be issued for any #development# or #enlargement# on such sites until the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies to the Department of Buildings that the provisions of this Section have been met.
 
An application for such certification shall be filed with the Chairperson showing the plan of the #zoning lot#; a site plan indicating the area and dimensions of all required public access areas and the location of all proposed #buildings#, and a detailed plan or plans demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this Section. For certifications relating to the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, as set forth in 93-71(h), the requirements set forth in such section shall apply.
 
Plans for public access areas shall be set forth in an instrument in a form acceptable to the City, and setting forth such provisions as necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section. Such instrument shall be filed and duly recorded in the Borough Office of the City Register of the City of New York and indexed against the property. Such filing and recording of the instrument shall be a precondition for the Chairperson's certification under this Section. The recording information shall be included on the certificate of occupancy for any #building#, or portion thereof, on the #zoning lot# issued after the recording date.
 
The Chairperson shall allow for the phased development of public access areas upon certification to the Commissioner of Buildings that a plan has been submitted that provides for the completion of any public access area that is integral to the #development# of a #building# or #buildings# within each phase. Where the public use and enjoyment of a public access area is contingent upon #development# on an adjacent #zoning lot# that has not yet occurred, the Chairperson may allow for the future development of such public access area at the time that the adjacent #zoning lot# is #developed#.
 
No temporary certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for any portion of any #development# or #enlargement# with a #floor area ratio# of 10.0 or more until the Chairperson certifies to the Department of Buildings that the public access area is substantially complete, and the public access area is open to and useable by the public. No permanent certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for any portion of such #development# or #enlargement# with a #floor area ratio# of 10.0 or more until the Chairperson certifies to the Department of Buildings that the public access area is complete and that all public access requirements of this Section have been met in accordance with the plans for such public access areas. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for #zoning lots# with multiple #buildings# for which the Chairperson has certified that a plan has been submitted that provides for the phased development of public access areas through completion of any public access area that is integral to the #development# of a #building# or #buildings# within each phase, such certifications shall be made with respect to substantial completion or completion of the public access areas integral to each such phase, except as provided in 93-71(h).
 
93-71
Public Access Areas in the Eastern Rail Yards Subarea A1
 
Any #development# in the Eastern Rail Yards Subarea A1 shall provide public access areas in
accordance with the following requirements:
 
(a)       Amount of public access areas
 
Public access areas shall be provided in an amount not less than 55 percent of the #lot area# of the #zoning lot#. At least 40 percent of the #lot area# of the #zoning lot# shall be publicly accessible and open to the sky. At least an additional 15 percent of the #lot area# of the #zoning lot# shall be publicly accessible and may be either open or enclosed. Such open or enclosed areas shall be comprised of the types of public access areas listed in paragraphs (b) through (f), and (h), of this Section. Open areas may also include the area of the sidewalk widening along Eleventh Avenue required pursuant to Section 93-61 and, at the option of the owner, the Tenth Avenue Spur.
 
(h)       ERY High Line and Tenth Avenue Spur
 
The #ERY High Line# shall be provided as a publicly accessible open area. The #Tenth Avenue Spur# may, at the option of the owner, also be provided as a publicly-accessible open area.
 
In order to meet the public access area requirements of 93-71(a) and this paragraph (h), the following shall be provided for the #ERY High Line#, and shall , if owner has elected to include the #Tenth Avenue Spur# as a public access area, be further provided for the #Tenth Avenue Spur#:
 
(i)       (aa) Payment of the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# or (bb) subject to entry into construction-related agreements with the city or its designee, completion of the rehabilitation of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, not later than March 31, 2013 , subject to a determination of force majeure by the city in accordance with the terms thereof. If owner has elected to perform the rehabilitation work set forth in clause (bb), then all such work shall be completed in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by or on behalf of the city .
 
(ii)       Payment of the #High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit#.
 
(iii)       Provision of #High Line Maintenance Funding#.
 
(iv)       An easement agreement allowing use of the #ERY High Line# for public space in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph (h), as well as for use and access for rehabilitation, improvement, maintenance and repair purposes, acceptable to the city .
 
Such requirements shall be set forth in agreements or instruments in a form acceptable to the city, including such provisions as are necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section. The execution of such agreements by owner, and mortgagees and parties in interest of owner, and, where appropriate, the filing and recordation of such instruments in the Borough Office of the City Register of the City New York, indexed against the property, shall be a precondition to the Chairperson's certification to the Department of Buildings for a building permit under Section 93-70. The recording information shall be included on the certificate of occupancy for any #building#, or portion thereof, on the #zoning lot# issued after the recording date.
 
No certification for the phased development of public access areas on the Eastern Rail Yard Subarea A1 under Section 93-70 shall be permitted unless the #ERY High Line# is included as a public access area for the initial phase in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (h).
 
No crane permit shall be granted for construction of a #development# or #enlargement# in such initial phase until the Chairperson certifies to the Department of Buildings that: (a) either the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# has been made or all construction documents and instruments necessary for accomplishment of the rehabilitation of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, in accordance with (i)(bb) above in this paragraph (h) have been executed and delivered; and (b) the #High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit# has been made .
 
No temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for a #development# or #enlargement# in such initial phase shall be granted unless the Chairperson certifies to the Department of Buildings that (a) either the #High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# has been previously furnished or the rehabilitation of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# , have been completed in accordance with the construction documents and instruments; (b) the initial installment of #High Line Maintenance Funding# has been delivered , provided and to the extent that the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, have been substantially completed and are open for use by the public , and (c) the easement agreement described in (iv) above is in effect for the #ERY High Line#. The requirement for a certification of substantial completion of public access areas before the granting of a temporary certificate of occupancy for the #development# or #enlargement# within such phase pursuant to Section 93-70 shall not apply with respect to the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#.
 
Nothing herein shall be construed to affect any obligation of owner to make the # High Line Rehabilitation Deposit# at an earlier date, in accordance with the terms of agreements or instruments entered into by the parties, or to complete rehabilitation work for the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# by March 31, 2013, subject to a determination of force majeure by the city in accordance with the terms of such agreements.
 
Use by the city of the #High Line Landscape Improvement Deposit# for improvement of the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, shall be subject to approval by the Chairperson, based upon a determination that the design and location of access points to the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur#, have been arranged such that public use thereof will not result in any significant adverse impacts with respect to transit or pedestrians.
 
(i)       Certifications for Phased Development Pursuant to Section 93-70 Granted Before [insert the effective date of this amendment]:
 
If a certification for the phased development of public access areas on the Eastern Rail Yard Subarea A1 under Section 93-70 was granted before [insert the effective date of this amendment], such certification shall expire 45 days following such date and shall thereupon no longer be in force and effect. Within said 45 day period, a new application for certification pursuant to Section 93-70 and 93-71(h) shall be filed by the owner which shall include the #ERY High Line# and, if applicable, the #Tenth Avenue Spur# as public access areas associated with the initial phase, in addition to any other public access areas previously so certified. The expiration of any certification under Section 93-70 granted before the [insert the effective date of amendment], shall not affect the validity of any permit issued by the Department of Buildings prior to the expiration of such 45 day period, provided the new application under 93-70 and 93-71(h) is made within such 45 day period.
 
In the event that a certification for the phased development of public access areas on the Eastern Rail Yard Subarea A1 under Section 93-70 was granted before [insert the effective date of amendment], and a crane permit for the construction of a #development# or #enlargement# within such initial phase was granted prior to 45 days after [ insert the effective date of this amendment] , the preconditions to issuance of a crane permit set forth in 93-71(h) shall be prerequisites for the grant of any new certification for phased development made under this paragraph (i).
 
* * *
 
 
Adopted.
 
Office of the City Clerk, }
            The City of New York,  } ss.:
 
      I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution passed by The Council of The City of New York on May 31, 2012, on file in this office.
 
 
 
 
 
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                                                                          City Clerk, Clerk of The Council