Karen : Design 2147 Ltd.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) recently launched the Business Express Service as a one-stop shop to assist with LPC permits.

Commercial stores, restaurants, and offices at the basement, first, and second floors are eligible to use this new program. Most work types are eligible for the Business Express Service including:

Interior Work
Minor Restoration Work: repainting, cleaning, repointing, etc.
Storefronts, Windows and Doors (Note: may not qualify for staff level review)
Awnings
Signs and Related Lighting
Barrier-Free Access: ramps, lifts, changes to doors, entrances and stairs (Note: may not qualify for staff level review)
Sidewalks, Vault Lights or Hatches
Health, Safety and Utility Equipment (security cameras, light fixtures, etc.)
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Equipment
Unenclosed Sidewalk Cafes
Temporary Installations or Work: temporary signs, artwork, banners, kiosks, storefront probes, etc.
Authorization to Proceed (ATP) Permits for work subject to an approved master plan

For more information see LPC’s Press Release.

The DOB NOW Public Portal has been expanded to include a list of approved zoning diagrams (ZD1s) for applications submitted via DOB NOW. On the DOB NOW Public Portal select the “Zoning Approvals Eligible for Public Challenge” tab.

These applications are eligible for public zoning challenge 45 days after the ZD1 is approved for a New Building or enlargement. See the DOB’s website to learn more about the public challenge process.

Since we last alerted our readers to the updated Construction Superintendent Requirements found here, DOB has published a Notice to Adopt amendments regarding Site Safety Managers, Site Safety Coordinators and Construction Superintendents.

We wanted to remind our readers that the 2022 Construction Codes go into effect on November 7, 2022.

To refer back to our earlier newsletter regarding this fast approaching deadline, see here

Large residential new developments are now required to submit Waste Management Plans to the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Such waste management plans must be submitted to DSNY the same time construction plans are submitted to DOB.

DOB has made some changes this year to periodic elevator and escalator inspections. Periodic inspections must be performed by an Approved Agency on behalf of the owner, as of January 1, 2022. The agency performing the inspection cannot be the same as the maintenance company. The DOB NOW: Safety portal has been updated to incorporate these changes. See the DOB’s Service Notice for a detailed list of the changes.

To help industry, DOB has published inspection checklists for elevators and escalators.

Local Law 149 of 2021 became effective June 1, 2022 which limits licensed Construction Superintendents to no more than five non-major buildings at a time. Previously Construction Superintendents could monitor ten jobs. Note that Local Law 149 of 2021 gradually steps down the number of applications a Construction Superintendent may monitor, ultimately resulting in one job per Superintendent by 2026.

If a job meets the definition of major building, the licensed Construction Superintendent may only be responsible for that job. A major building is defined as “an existing or proposed building 10 or more stories or 125 feet or more in height, or an existing or proposed building with a building footprint of 100,000 square feet or more regardless of height, or an existing or proposed building so designated by the commissioner due to unique hazards associated with the construction or demolition of the structure.”

The DOB may authorize a Superintendent to supervise multiple non-major building applications on the same lot or contiguous lots and count it as one job for these limitations.

It is the responsibility of the licensed Construction Superintendent to limit the number of jobs they are designated on. Failure to comply may result in violations, intent to revoke permits, and Stop Work Orders.

The 2022 NYC Construction Codes were enacted by City Council via Local Law 126 of 2021 and will go into effect on November 7, 2022.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) has issued Buildings Bulletin 2022-007 to clarify the thresholds that must be met for work to use the 2014 Construction Codes.

The 2014 Construction Codes apply for applications that include complete construction documents and are submitted before November 7, 2022. For New Building applications, the construction documents must include architectural, structural, and foundation drawings. For enlargement applications, the construction documents must include architectural, structural, and if applicable, foundation drawings.

The 2022 Construction Codes apply for applications that include complete construction documents and are submitted on or after November 7, 2022.

In the wake of last week’s announcement for the new City wide Commissioner, the Department of Buildings (DOB) announced new Borough Commissioners today.

Reda Shehata, R.A. is now the Brooklyn and Staten Island Borough Commissioner. Previously Reda served as Brooklyn Deputy Borough Commissioner and most recently Queens Borough Commissioner.

Ira Gluckman, R.A. is the new Queens Borough Commissioner, moving from his position as Staten Island Borough Commissioner. Ira has also previously served as Borough Commissioner in Brooklyn and Queens.

Lis Amoia, R.A. will now serve at the Staten Island Deputy Borough Commissioner, moving from her position as Manhattan Deputy Borough Commissioner.

The Mayor’s office has announced that Eric Ulrich is the new Commissioner of the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). The First Deputy Commissioner will be Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. who was formerly the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner.

Ulrich is served three terms as a NYC councilmember representing District 32 in Queens serving on the Committee on Housing and Buildings, focusing on the acceleration of rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy.