Proposed zoning changes would allow residents to build "as-of-right" in Staten Island's "natural" districts.
Staten Island's "special natural districts" (i.e., Special Hillsides Preservation District, Special Natural Area District, and Special South Richmond Development District) are complex zoning regulations, which cause nothing short of headaches for residents and land owners.
"Current zoning regulations in these specially designated areas result in long-time delays of city-agency approvals for projects ranging from installation of in-ground swimming pools to enlarging a house or constructing a new one," reports Virginia Sherry.
The Department of City Planning is the lead agency working to simplify the outdated zoning regulations, who envision a "homeowner-friendly regulatory environment with robust as-of-right rules for single-family and two-family homes in all the special districts," writes Sherry. At present, all proposed projects within the "natural" districts are required to be reviewed and approved by City Planning before going to the Buildings Department. The proposed changes would expedite the process allowing the homeowner to bypass securing City Planning approval for most "small site" projects.
The Department of City Planning is in the preliminary stages of amending the zoning rules: "representatives are giving presentations outlining the proposed zoning changes to the three Community Boards."
Read the full story: Zoning changes in the works for Staten Island's 'natural' districts
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