FRIENDS

NEWS


Advocacy Alert: Save St. Elizabeth’s Church

For the fifth time in recent years, there is a fast-moving proposal at the State level to lift the longstanding cap on residential development in New York City. Lifting the 12 FAR cap would potentially unleash a flood of development rights that are likely to yield more supertall superluxury development, displace existing affordable units, and threaten livability in neighborhoods across the City.

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FRIENDS Board Member testifies on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity at City Planning Commission hearing

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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Send in your comments on “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity”

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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Watch It Again: “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity: Impacts on Upper East & West Sides” with George Janes

Watch a recording of our online talk "City of Yes Explained" by urban planner and zoning expert George Janes held on January 18th and co-sponsored by FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts and Landmark West!

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What you need to know: “Faith Based Affordable Housing Act”

FRIENDS recently submitting testimony at the NYC Department of City Planning about the CITY OF YES FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY proposal to overhaul the 1961 Zoning Resolution. While we believe updating and modernizing the city’s zoning is certainly important and overdue, we think the zoning text amendments are just a series of bandaids upon bandaids, a voluminous series of tweaks, many of which will have unintended consequences.

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Advocacy Win: City’s Tech Office Explores Alternative Designs for Link5G Towers After Community Pushback

FRIENDS has learned that the city's proposed 32-foot tall Link5G towers will be subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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FRIENDS testifies at City Hall Subcommittee Hearing

FRIENDS recently submitting testimony at the NYC Department of City Planning about the CITY OF YES FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY proposal to overhaul the 1961 Zoning Resolution. While we believe updating and modernizing the city’s zoning is certainly important and overdue, we think the zoning text amendments are just a series of bandaids upon bandaids, a voluminous series of tweaks, many of which will have unintended consequences.

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42nd Annual Meeting and Awards

Every year, we look forward to gathering with members and friends to celebrate and recognize the fine restoration, renovation, and advocacy work completed on the Upper East Side. We were delighted to celebrate our 41st Annual Meeting and Awards in person on Wednesday, April 12.

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Advocacy Alert: Say NO to Lifting the FAR Cap

For the fifth time in recent years, there is a fast-moving proposal at the State level to lift the longstanding cap on residential development in New York City. Lifting the 12 FAR cap would potentially unleash a flood of development rights that are likely to yield more supertall superluxury development, displace existing affordable units, and threaten livability in neighborhoods across the City.

Read more

Hey Joe; There’s a nail salon in Apartment 5C!

FRIENDS recently submitting testimony at the NYC Department of City Planning about the CITY OF YES FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY proposal to overhaul the 1961 Zoning Resolution. While we believe updating and modernizing the city’s zoning is certainly important and overdue, we think the zoning text amendments are just a series of bandaids upon bandaids, a voluminous series of tweaks, many of which will have unintended consequences.

Read more
FRIENDS of the Upper East Side 2020