State Bill Could Spread the Supertall Buildings Around New York

Matt A.V. Chaban reports on the potential impact of a legislative package emerging the New York state capital this week "that would remove restrictions on the size of residential buildings in the five boroughs."

The bills, quietly introduced by Brooklyn Senator Simcha Felder and Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright, would remove a 1961 density cap placed on residential buildings. Under the new rules — which could be passed before the session ends next Friday — residential buildings in most of the city could be far bigger than they are now.

Chaban details the effect of the bills—namely, to change the calculation of floor-to-area ratio (FAR) for residential buildings. In the city of New York, residential FAR is actually set by the state.

Among the additional details of the legislative package is a requirement for Department of City Planning and City Council approval for projects above the current limit of 12 FAR.