§ 6-03 Threshold Review and Determination.
RCNY § 6-03
(a)Department Review. Each proposed plan shall be reviewed by the Department staff who shall report to the Commission not later than 90 days after the plan's submission as to whether the plan appears to meet the standards for form and content and for consistency with sound planning, as set forth in 62 RCNY § 6-04. Prior to making the report, the staff shall inform the sponsor of all deficiencies with respect to form and content and any changes, additions or deletions which, in the opinion of the staff, may correct such deficiencies. The sponsor may, thereupon, indicate its willingness to make such changes, additions or deletions in which case the Department will defer its report to the Commission until the changes have been made. The sponsor may, instead, request that the plan be presented without change to the Commission for its threshold findings of form and content and sound planning policy. At the time of any Department report on a proposed plan, the Commission may receive a similar report from representatives of the sponsor.
(b)City Planning Commission Determination. Within 30 days after its presentation by the Department staff, the Commission shall determine, when required by the Charter and in accordance with the standards set forth in 63 RCNY § 6-04, whether the proposed plan is of appropriate form and sufficient content, and whether it is in accordance with sound planning policy. If the Commission has determined that a proposed plan does not meet the standards for form or content or for sound planning policy, it shall direct the plan back to the sponsor with a statement explaining its deficiencies. When the Commission has determined that a proposed plan is of appropriate form and content and is in accordance with sound planning policy, it shall direct the Department to undertake the necessary environmental review if the plan has been sponsored by a community board in accordance with 62 RCNY Chapter 5. If the plan has been sponsored by an agency other than a community board the Commission shall determine whether a Type II declaration, a negative declaration, or a notice of completion of a draft EIS has been issued, and if so, it shall direct the Department to distribute the plan in accordance with 62 RCNY § 6-06.
(c)Coordination of Plan Review. The Commission may determine that, despite its finding of appropriate form and content and sound planning policy, a proposed plan should not immediately proceed because there are other planning efforts, ULURP reviews or environmental studies underway which should be coordinated with the plan. In such a case, the Commission may direct the Department to work with the sponsor and any other interested agencies in developing an appropriate timetable and strategy for the plan, and to report back to the Commission.
(d)Progress Report. When 180 days has elapsed following a threshold determination pursuant to subdivision (b), if a proposed plan has not been distributed for review either because the environmental review remains incomplete, or because the plan has been delayed pursuant to subdivision (c), the sponsoring agency may make a written request to the Commission to expedite the plan's distribution. The Commission shall direct the Department to report in writing within a fixed period of time the progress of the plan, including any outstanding aspects of the environmental review, or any continuing problems of coordination delaying its review. Upon receipt of the report, the Commission may direct the Department to complete the review within a reasonable period of time. (Amended City Record 3/21/2018, eff. 4/20/2018)
