In an earlier post, I discussed Mayor Bloomberg's plan to truncate the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) by way of a City Charter revision -- in order to speed up development.It currently takes 200 days to complete the ULURP process. Shortening that period could make it harder for target communities to respond.
In what may be a related development, this week Mayor Bloomberg and Department of Buildings Commissioner Limandri announced a program of "reforms" that sets a 30-day limit for public comment on proposed new developments.
The administrative "public challenge period" goes into effect on Monday, March 9th.
Although the press release does not mention ULURP, the timing suggests a relationship.
Commissioner LiMandri said that developers, in effect, need closure.
As of March 9th, new applications for building permits and related drawings will be posted on NYC.gov. Residents can read the plans to "determine whether a project is in compliance with required zoning regulations".
I doubt that I can do that.
In my view, the meat of the "reforms" is the 30-day "public challenge" process, which, by setting limits on public input, allows developers to get shovels in the ground faster.
There is currently no formal timeframe for permit approval.
When the DOB approves plans for any new building or major modification, the architects' drawings, called "ZD1" forms, and related documents will be uploaded to the DOB website.
Once a permit is issued, the builder has to post the permit at the job site within 3 days. Residents then have 30 calendar days to review and challenge DOB approval.
Thirty days after the permit has been posted at the job site, the DOB Borough Commissioner will review the plans against any community feedback and post the results online, acting only on those complaints the commissioner deems worthy of enforcement action.
If the Borough Commissioner rules against community residents, they will get 15 days to appeal to the First Deputy Commissioner of DOB.
The First Deputy Commissioner's decision may be appealed to the Board of Standards and Appeals (now folded into the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), which will have final say.
I hope, over the next few days, to come across some wonky input, because I think this story's got back.
