Kramer Levin Obtains NYC Council Approval for Morris Adjmi Building

Kramer Levin obtained New York City Council approval of a contentious special permit for a new building designed by noted architect Morris Adjmi to be constructed at 41-45 West 17th Street and 38-42 West 18th Street. The new building is located in the Ladies Miles Historic District and required design approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as well as a special permit from the City Planning Commission to waive certain zoning restrictions. As the first special permit application to be heard after the City Planning Commission’s adoption of the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) regulations, opponents argued that the new building was required to provide affordable housing (see The New York Times article).

The Kramer Levin Land Use team successfully argued that it would be improper for the City Council to formally impose MIH requirements on the project and the client, Acuity Capital Partners, offered to make a voluntary contribution to an affordable house fund. The special permit application was overwhelmingly approved by the City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. Land Use counsels Valerie G. Campbell and Jeffrey L. Braun, Planning and Development Specialist Marcie Kesner and associates Eric M. Daniel and Erik F. Stegemiller worked on this application.