SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan January Update

SoHo Broadway Community: Rezoning approved by City Council December 15th

On December 15th, 2021 the New York City Council approved the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan rezoning. The approved rezoning package includes several components: new zoning text, companion legislation (Intro 2443A) which increases fines on JLWQA units that are occupied in violation of  zoning, and an accompanying points of agreement memo (“POA”) between former Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson outlining commitments from the City to support SoHo and NoHo with various City services.

The zoning text includes the following provisions that will apply within the SoHo Broadway business improvement district:   

• Broadway from Houston to Howard will be zoned M1-5/R9X (5.0 FAR for commercial/manufacturing, 9.7 FAR for residential with MIH and 6.5 FAR with community facility and max building height of 205 feet. Similar zoning applies on Broadway between Howard and Canal.   

• JLWQA units may be converted to residential with an $100/sf conversion fee to be used to fund an arts fund to be managed by a to-be-formed not-for-profit to support arts/culture in SoHo, NoHo and nearby neighborhoods. JLWQA units do not have to be converted.
      
• Retail will be allowed throughout a building, with a new special permit process for retail greater than 25,000 sf of floor area on wide streets (including Broadway) and greater than 10,000 sf on narrow streets. Eating/drinking establishments are limited to 8,500 sf of floor area.

The POA contains the following commitments by the City that impact the SoHo Broadway district: 

• Establish the framework for the Downtown SoHo/NoHo Arts Fund;  
• Study the Broadway and Canal corridors for comprehensive transportation and public realm improvements;  
• Explore locations for new tree plantings;   
• Implement Commercial Waste Zones in Community District 2 as expeditiously as possible; and 
• Advance Clean Curbs pilot with the SoHo Broadway Initiative.   

The Initiative advocated for many of these important commitments from the City that will lead to short- and long-term improvements to quality of life for residents, workers and visitors.   

A key concern moving forward is the JLWQA conversion process. Some guidance can be found in the POA including a commitment by DOB to publish a Bulletin with the process for future applicants. We will follow and work on these matters closely with the new Administration.