Please send copies of all letters to GVSHP

232 East 11th Street, NY NY 10003

or (fax) 212/475-9582

or e-mail: gvshp@gvshp.org

________________________________________________________________

DATE

Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

FAX: 212/788-8123

To e-mail, CLICK HERE

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

I write to strongly urge the City to eliminate the community facility bulk bonus for dormitories.

Bulk bonuses for the development of dormitories have led to overdevelopment and oversaturation of dormitories in many neighborhoods such as the East Village.  Making matters worse, however, a recent court decision threatens the city’s modest safeguards to prevent developers from receiving dorm bulk bonuses when they have no actual educational institution to occupy these extra-large buildings.  Hopefully, this decision will be overturned.  However, as recent cases have shown, some educational institutions may be claiming to use bulk-bonus spaces as dorms, when in fact they intend to use it for residential purposes not entitled to the bulk bonus under the zoning text. 

This makes policing the distinction between dorm and residential use extremely difficult, and makes the strong case that no bonus should be afforded for dorm development as compared to residential development.  The City wisely eliminated the bulk bonus for faculty housing in 2003, and should do the same for student housing as well.

I urge you to act on this matter as soon as possible.

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Sincerely,

NAME

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ADDRESS

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DATE

City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden
22 Reade Street
New York, NY 10007

FAX: 212-720-3219

To email, CLICK HERE

Dear Chair Burden:

I write to strongly urge the City to eliminate the community facility bulk bonus for dormitories.

Bulk bonuses for the development of dormitories have led to overdevelopment and oversaturation of dormitories in many neighborhoods such as the East Village.  Making matters worse, however, a recent court decision threatens the city’s modest safeguards to prevent developers from receiving dorm bulk bonuses when they have no actual educational institution to occupy these extra-large buildings.  Hopefully, this decision will be overturned.  However, as recent cases have shown, some educational institutions may be claiming to use bulk-bonus spaces as dorms, when in fact they intend to use it for residential purposes not entitled to the bulk bonus under the zoning text. 

This makes policing the distinction between dorm and residential use extremely difficult, and makes the strong case that no bonus should be afforded for dorm development as compared to residential development.  The City wisely eliminated the bulk bonus for faculty housing in 2003, and should do the same for student housing as well.

When you became Chair of the City Planning Commission, you promised to consider changing community facility zoning regulations which needed reform.  The abuse and inappropriate development which come from the current bonus afforded for development of dormitories is one of the most glaring examples of reform which is needed.  I hope you will act to eliminate this provision as soon as possible.

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Sincerely,

NAME

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