RECENT NEWS
NYCCC Engages with NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on New Permit Portal
NYCCC members recently had the opportunity to attend a forum with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to gain insights, provide feedback and ask questions about the agency’s new web-based permit application portal, Portico.
During the session, LPC provided an in-depth walkthrough, showcasing Portico’s streamlined application process, user-friendly features, and dedicated web support.
Portico enables landmark property owners and their representatives to manage every aspect of the permitting process digitally—from filing applications and uploading supporting documents to tracking application status, receiving final permits, and requesting compliance notices. The portal also features a chatbot to direct users to the correct forms and allows multiple users to access and work on the same application, ensuring seamless collaboration.
Some of the benefits of the new portal include:
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allowance for multiple users to access the same application and receive email updates on application status.
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automatically directs applications to LPC’s express services, such as Business Express, FasTrack and Expedited Certificate of No Effect (XCNE) if the application qualifies.
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variety of uses including filing applications for new permits or amending existing ones, uploading supporting documentation (photographs, architectural plans, presentations), requesting notices of compliance, and receiving final permits and approved drawings.
To date, NYCCC members are pleased with the portal’s capabilities, ease of filing and web support that has been put in place to assist filers.
NEW YORK STATE HOUSING DEAL
An affordable housing plan was included in April’s final State Budget to address New York’s housing crisis by increasing the housing supply, promoting affordability, strengthening protections for New York renters and homeowners, and combatting bias and discrimination in housing. The plan specifically includes:
Housing Production:
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A five-year extension – from June 2026 to June 2031 – of the deadline for vested projects to complete under the 421(a) program.
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A new voluntary tax incentive program to support the creation of below-market housing in office-to-residential conversion projects.
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The ability of the City of New York to increase residential density through a rezoning above the prior 12 FAR cap if certain conditions are met.
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A new tax incentive program, 485x, to support the creation of new mixed-income housing to replace the expired 421(a) program.
Improving Existing Homes
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Makes minimal changes to the Individual Apartment Improvement (IAI) program that governs how owners of rent stabilized housing can recoup investments in those apartments.
Tenant Protections
Generally requires property owners of market-rate rental units to offer renewal leases to certain existing tenants and imposes limits on annual rent increases in those renewal leases with certain exemptions to, among other things, ensure new housing can continue to be financed and built.
DOB ON THE ROAD
NYCCC recently hosted a “DOB on the Road” meeting at the Penn Club. This was an excellent opportunity for NYCCC members to sit down with DOB representatives to discuss DOB processes and ask questions. It was a wonderful exchange of knowledge and ideas, great progress was made and we thank DOB for the opportunity.
