Court Revokes NYC Planning Commission's Approval of LES Skyscrapers

Local community organizations, nonprofit groups, and residents of the "Two Bridges" neighborhood in Manhattan's Lower East Side (LES) filed an Article 78 court appeal, seeking annulment of the NYC Planning Commission's approval of developers' plans to erect three tall, residential skyscrapers in a residential area.

The court ruled for tenants. The Planning Commission's proposed projects were nullified. The court ruled that the Planning Commission must determine how the structures would impact the surrounding area according to a specific zoning provision. If developers want to proceed with existing plans, they must show that the residential towers wouldn't "unduly increase the bulk of buildings, density of population, or intensity of use in any block" and that they wouldn't "impair the essential character of the surrounding area" under the zoning code. 

Lower E. Side Organized Neighbors v. NYC Planning Comm.: Index No. 153024/2019, 2020 NY Slip Op 20508(U) (Sup. Ct. NY; 2/21/20; Engoron, J)