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What is NYC ZR § 131-444?

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This section defines the criteria for towers in the Coney North Subdistrict, including maximum height, floorplate size, and location restrictions. It specifies that towers must comply with various dimensional regulations and provides exceptions for affordable housing. Applies to building owners developing properties in the specified area.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 131-444 Coney North Subdistrict towers

ZR § 131-444

All stories of a building or portions of other structures located partially or wholly above a height of 85 feet within 175 feet of Surf Avenue and above a height of 65 feet beyond 175 feet of Surf Avenue shall be considered a “tower” and shall comply with the provisions of this Section.

(a)Maximum floorplate Each story of a tower shall not exceed a gross area of 8,500 square feet.

(b)Maximum length and height On blocks bounding Surf Avenue, the maximum height of a building or other structure shall be 220 feet and beyond 175 feet of Surf Avenue the maximum height of a building or other structure shall be 170 feet. Furthermore, the outermost walls of all tower stories shall be inscribed within a rectangle and no side of such rectangle shall exceed a length of 165 feet. Where qualifying affordable housing or qualifying senior housing is provided pursuant to Section 131-321 (Special floor area regulations for residential uses), the maximum height of a building shall be increased to 270 feet, provided that either:

(1)the outermost wall of all tower stories are inscribed within a rectangle, where no side of such rectangle shall exceed a length of 100 feet; or

(2)the outermost wall of all tower stories, below a height of 120 feet, are inscribed within a rectangle, where no side of such rectangle shall exceed a length of 130 feet, and above such height, no side of such rectangle shall exceed a length of 100 feet. In addition, above a height of 120 feet, the maximum floorplate shall be 80 percent of the story immediately below such height or 6,800 square feet, whichever is greater. Such reduced lot coverage shall be achieved by one or more setbacks on each face of the tower, where at least one setback on each tower face has a depth of at least five feet and a width that, individually or in the aggregate, is equal to at least 10 percent of the width of each respective tower face. All buildings that exceed a height of 170 feet shall provide articulation in accordance with Section 131-46 (Tower Top Articulation).

(c)Tower location Towers shall be located within 25 feet of Surf Avenue and entirely within 100 feet of an intersecting street. No more than one tower shall be permitted on any zoning lot, except that where qualifying affordable housing or qualifying senior housing is provided pursuant to Sections 27-10 and 131-321, a second tower shall be permitted anywhere on the zoning lot where such tower is entirely beyond 175 feet of Surf Avenue and 10 feet from any other street. All towers shall be located at least 10 feet from a side lot line.

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