Step5: Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)

Section 197-c, subsection a of the City Charter makes the following actions subject to ULURP:

Changes to the City Map. The City Map is the official adopted map of the city. It shows the location, dimension and grades of streets, parks, public places and certain public easements. The Director of City Planning is the custodian of the City Map.

Mapping of subdivisions or platting of land into streets, avenues or Public Places. This section has not been used since 1976.

Designation or change of zoning districts. The Zoning Resolution guides the development of the city and includes regulations dealing with use, bulk and parking. Zoning districts and boundaries are shown on the zoning maps and identify the permitted use, density, height, setback, yard and other bulk regulations and parking requirements for development on individual sites. Changes to the zoning maps, including district designations and boundaries are subject to ULURP. Amendments to the Zoning Resolution are not subject to ULURP but go through a similar public review process.

Special Permits within the Zoning Resolution requiring approval of the City Planning Commission. Special permits are discretionary approvals that can modify zoning controls such as use, bulk and parking. (Note: City Planning Commission authorizations pursuant to the Zoning Resolution are not subject to ULURP. Variances and Special Permits reviewed by the Board of Standards and Appeals are also not subject to ULURP.)

Site selection for capital projects. This includes the selection of sites for new city facilities such as sanitation garages, fire houses, libraries and sewage treatment plants. A capital project is the construction or acquisition of a public improvement classified as a capital asset of the City.

Revocable consents, requests for proposals and other solicitations or franchises, and major concessions. A franchise is a grant by an agency of a right to occupy or use the inalienable property of the city to provide a public service such as a private bus line or bus stop shelters. A revocable consent is a grant by the city, revocable at will, for private use on, over or under city property such as bridges over streets or street furniture. Revocable consents that the Department of City Planning has determined do not have land use impacts or implications are not subject to ULURP. (Note: sidewalk cafes are revocable consents that are reviewed pursuant to a process established in the city's Administrative Code. The City Planning Commission does not review such applications). A major concession is a grant made by an agency for the private use of city-owned property, and which has significant land use impacts and implications or which requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement. The City Planning Commission has established rules for determining if a concession is major and requires ULURP review.

Improvements in real property the costs of which are payable other than by the City. Applications for such non-city improvements are rarely made.

Housing and urban renewal plans and project pursuant to city, state and federal laws. Urban Renewal Plans developed pursuant to the General Municipal Law (Article 15) are required to be reviewed by the Charter and State Law.

Sanitary or waterfront landfills.

Disposition of city owned property. This includes sale, lease or exchange of real property.

Acquisition of real property by the city. Office space acquisition is excluded and subject to a separate review pursuant to Section 195 of the City Charter.