Building Surveys that identify properties based upon some characteristic or threshold are extremely useful in applications to the BSA. So much so, the Board will frequently ask for them. For example, this study showed all of the homes within 400 feet of the Site exceeding 0.8 FAR. Other examples include a survey identifying all manufacturing uses in a certain area, buildings exceeding 200,000 SF within a certain distance of the site, or buildings exceeding four stories in a certain zoning district.

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Community Character Studies are like building surveys, but taken to the next level. They will frequently include several maps, diagrams, street sections, photographs, and extensive data about the land uses and buildings in a certain area. In the first example on the right, the applicant needed to document the precise use of every building on the subject block, and provide a host of information about the neighborhood at large.

The second example, below, includes a street section showing the visibility of a proposed enlargement that prepared as part of a larger community character study. The map excerpt below it was part of a study showing the location of automotive-related uses relative to the subject site, and showing the area's zoning districts.

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Sightline Studies are usually prepared in the context of applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but can also be used in the other types of applications. The example above illustrated the visibility of a rooftop enlargement, with the map on the left showing the area from which the enlargement would be visible at street level, and the photographs at right showing the visual impact of the enlargement from a specific viewpoint.

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Business and Employment Studies are used to document the potential impact of zoning changes on local businesses and jobs. We've been asked to prepare them both at the request of the Department of City Planning, in the exploratory phase of a proposed rezoning, and for the purpose of conducting environmental review. Such surveys typically involve going door to door to speak with business owners and managers about the type of business they conduct, and how many people they employ. Then, gaps in on-the-ground research are filled by searching through business and telephone listings for additional information.

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You only get one chance to make a first impression. That's why preliminary meetings with DCP and BSA are so important. Our Preliminary Meeting Presentations are designed to make you and your project look good, and to make your proposed application look like a good idea. The presentations, which range from 10 to 25 pages, include a host of different maps (zoning, tax, land use, aerials), in addition to photographs of the site and the surrounding area, commentary about the recent history of approved projects or zoning changes in the area, zoning change maps, proposed zoning calculations and comparisons, and whatever other maps and diagrams tend towards a positive view of what you are proposing.

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In this case, we prepared an additional sheet listing the pertinent characteristics of the site and listing the different elected officials' district where the Site was located (top); created a map showing the major thoroughfares in the surrounding area to assist the applicant in explaining the significance of their site within the context of the surrounding street system (middle); and created a bird's eye aerial showing the FAR of the large loft buildings located near to their site to help the applicant explain how a proposed upzoning would better reflect the scale of existing development, and would lower noncompliance in the area (below).

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Here, the applicant charged us with illustrating a variety of development scenarios that could result from a potential rezoning in Manhattan. First, there was the question of which properties the applicant would be able to use to create the site for a new development. Second, the question of what zoning district the Department would find most suitable to the site. And third, whether or not the owner would be able to reach agreement to obtain transferred development rights from a neighboring property. As shown above, through a combination of enhanced aerial photographs and zoning calculations, the various scenarios were clearly illustrated.

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Planning and Zoning Studies can also be used outside the context of preliminary meetings. They can be used to help property owners assess development options; to inform RWCDS memos; or to understand the potential impact that development on surrounding sites may have on your property.

The examples on this page include: an analysis of how a future enlargement could possibly alter the form of a building in Manhattan (top); a comprehensive study of existing, proposed, and potential development in a rezoning area in the Bronx (middle); and a building survey with zoning calculations that accompanied a rezoning (below).

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The examples on this page include: a map showing the area within 800 feet of the site that is within the subject M1-5A district (top); an analysis of potential future development used to assist an apartment purchaser in determining the likelihood of losing their views (middle); and a residential parking study (as is now required for certain DCP applications—ZR §13-451— in Manhattan)(below). 

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Shadow Analyses are required during environmental review when there is a threat of shadows being cast by a new building onto open spaces or historic resources. Our Shadow Analyses are performed according to the CEQR Technical Manual and include the full range of Tier 1, 2, 3 & 4 analyses.

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