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What is NYC ZR § 133-50?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the requirements for phasing public access areas in development parcels. It specifies conditions under which temporary or permanent certificates of occupancy may be issued by the Department of Buildings, contingent upon the completion of designated public access areas. Applies to developers and building owners involved in large-scale developments.

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

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§ 133-50 PHASING

ZR § 133-50

The public access areas required pursuant to Section 133-30, inclusive, may be built out in phases on the development parcel in accordance with this Section.

No temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for more than 300,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel until the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies to the Commissioner of Buildings that at least 25,000 square feet of public access area is substantially complete and open to the public.

No temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for more than 500,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel until the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies to the Commissioner of Buildings that at least 40,000 square feet of public access area is substantially complete and open to the public. The Central Open Area shall be part of the public access area required to be substantially completed and open to the public under this paragraph.

No temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for each additional 200,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel until the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies to the Commissioner of Buildings that an additional 12,000 square feet of public access area is substantially completed and open to the public. A portion of the North-South Connection connecting at least one of the Loop Roads and the Central Open Area shall be substantially completed and open to the public prior to obtaining a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for more than 750,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel. The Waterfront Connection shall be substantially completed and open to the public prior to obtaining a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for more than 900,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel.

Except as set forth above, the open space provided pursuant to this Section may include interim open space areas, provided that no temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings may be issued for more than 1,700,000 square feet of floor area developed or enlarged on the development parcel until the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies to the Commissioner of Buildings that all of the Central Open Area, the North-South Connection and the Waterfront Connection are substantially complete and open to the public.

Not more than 20 percent of the lot area of the development parcel shall be required to be improved as public access areas, and the obligation to provide public access areas, in accordance with paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section, shall terminate at such time as 20 percent of the lot area of the development parcel has been improved as public access areas and has been opened to the public.

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