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What is NYC ZR § 139-235?

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This section outlines special height and setback regulations for buildings in Subdistrict C, including minimum and maximum base heights, setback requirements, and tower regulations. The Department of Buildings enforces these regulations. Applies to building owners developing properties in designated areas along Bond Street, Union Street, and Degraw Street.

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§ 139-235 Special height and setback regulations in Subdistrict C

ZR § 139-235

Street wall locationThe street wall location provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 123-651 shall apply, except that the street wall shall extend to at least the minimum base height specified in paragraph (b) of this Section. However, no street wall location requirement shall apply to the street walls facing a shore public walkway.

Minimum and maximum base heightsExcept as otherwise specified in this paragraph (b), street walls shall rise without setback to a minimum base height of 40 feet or the height of the building, whichever is less, and may rise to a maximum base height as set forth in this paragraph (b). However, no minimum base height shall be required for street walls facing a shore public walkway. Along Bond Street, the minimum base height shall be 30 feet, and the maximum base height shall be 55 feet. No portion of a building located within 65 feet of Bond Street may rise above a height of 65 feet. Along Union Street, between Nevins Street and the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 85 feet. Along Degraw Street, between Nevins Street and the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 85 feet. Along all other streets, as well as along the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 65 feet.

Along Bond Street, the minimum base height shall be 30 feet, and the maximum base height shall be 55 feet. No portion of a building located within 65 feet of Bond Street may rise above a height of 65 feet.

Along Union Street, between Nevins Street and the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 85 feet.

Along Degraw Street, between Nevins Street and the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 85 feet.

Along all other streets, as well as along the Gowanus Canal, the maximum base height shall be 65 feet.

Setback requirementsAt a height not lower than the minimum base height or higher than the maximum base height, a setback with a minimum depth of 15 feet shall be provided. Such setback shall also comply with the requirements of Section 23-433 (Standard setback regulations).

Tower regulationsWhere waterfront public access areas are considered streets, such streets shall be considered the boundaries of blocks for the purposes of this paragraph. Tower locationAny portion of a building located above a height of 85 feet shall be considered a “tower”. No portion of a tower may be located: within 30 feet of the street line of Nevins Street; within 65 feet of Bond Street; for buildings with only one tower portion, south of the centerline of the block; or within 30 feet of a waterfront yard.However, for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, any tower may be located south of the centerline of the block, and within 30 feet of the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin, provided such tower portion is located at least 10 feet from the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin. Tower widthThe street wall of any tower facing a shore public walkway shall not exceed 100 feet in width. Where multiple towers are provided, the combined street wall width of all such towers shall not exceed 130 feet.However, for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, the combined street wall width of all towers located west of the required visual corridor shall not exceed 150 feet. Tower coverageAbove a height of 175 feet, any tower shall set back such that it occupies a lot coverage no greater than 80 percent of the story located immediately below. Tower heightThe maximum height of a tower shall be 225 feet. Regulations for multiple towersFor buildings with two tower portions, there shall be a difference in height between such towers of at least 50 feet. The taller of the two towers shall be located north of the centerline of the block, except that: for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, the taller of the two towers shall be located west of the required visual corridor. The shorter of the two towers shall be located east of the required visual corridor, and no less than 65 feet from Carroll Street; and for the zoning lot adjoining the intersection of Degraw Street and Nevins Street, for any building located north of Sackett Street, the shorter of the two towers shall be located north of the centerline of the block, and shall not exceed a height of 125 feet.

Tower locationAny portion of a building located above a height of 85 feet shall be considered a “tower”. No portion of a tower may be located: within 30 feet of the street line of Nevins Street; within 65 feet of Bond Street; for buildings with only one tower portion, south of the centerline of the block; or within 30 feet of a waterfront yard.However, for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, any tower may be located south of the centerline of the block, and within 30 feet of the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin, provided such tower portion is located at least 10 feet from the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin.

within 30 feet of the street line of Nevins Street;

within 65 feet of Bond Street;

for buildings with only one tower portion, south of the centerline of the block; or

within 30 feet of a waterfront yard.However, for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, any tower may be located south of the centerline of the block, and within 30 feet of the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin, provided such tower portion is located at least 10 feet from the waterfront yard adjoining the First Street Basin.

Tower widthThe street wall of any tower facing a shore public walkway shall not exceed 100 feet in width. Where multiple towers are provided, the combined street wall width of all such towers shall not exceed 130 feet.However, for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, the combined street wall width of all towers located west of the required visual corridor shall not exceed 150 feet.

Tower coverageAbove a height of 175 feet, any tower shall set back such that it occupies a lot coverage no greater than 80 percent of the story located immediately below.

Tower heightThe maximum height of a tower shall be 225 feet.

Regulations for multiple towersFor buildings with two tower portions, there shall be a difference in height between such towers of at least 50 feet. The taller of the two towers shall be located north of the centerline of the block, except that: for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, the taller of the two towers shall be located west of the required visual corridor. The shorter of the two towers shall be located east of the required visual corridor, and no less than 65 feet from Carroll Street; and for the zoning lot adjoining the intersection of Degraw Street and Nevins Street, for any building located north of Sackett Street, the shorter of the two towers shall be located north of the centerline of the block, and shall not exceed a height of 125 feet.

for zoning lots located south of Carroll Street, the taller of the two towers shall be located west of the required visual corridor. The shorter of the two towers shall be located east of the required visual corridor, and no less than 65 feet from Carroll Street; and

for the zoning lot adjoining the intersection of Degraw Street and Nevins Street, for any building located north of Sackett Street, the shorter of the two towers shall be located north of the centerline of the block, and shall not exceed a height of 125 feet.

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