Manhattan CB5, NY Planning Board
Sundays tracks every public Planning Board meeting in Manhattan CB5, NY and summarizes what was decided — master-plan re-examinations, redevelopment areas, rezonings and land-use ordinances. Land-use items are kept off the weekly Sundays email (they're a specialist read), but every one is archived here and verified against the official meeting record. 19 items on file; most recent October 2, 2026.
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730 Fifth Avenue (Crown Building): master plan for retail storefront signage; approval with conditions
The committee discussed an LPC master plan application for retail storefront signage at the newly designated (2024) Crown Building. After extensive debate, the committee approved the application with two conditions, including excluding third-floor windows from the master plan and requesting storefront designs respect the building’s historic character. The vote was 7-4.
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625 Madison Avenue: CPC authorizations under ZR 66-511 (transit bonus) and ZR 66-521 (zoning modifications)
The committee presented two separate resolutions for 625 Madison Avenue related to CPC authorizations that do not proceed through full ULURP. The committee unanimously supported the ZR 66-511 transit bonus improvement (about 100,000 square feet) and unanimously recommended denial of the ZR 66-521 zoning modifications due to insufficient findings related to Midtown daylight evaluation requirements.
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Gilsey House: Continuing maintenance plan report for development rights transfer (Zoning Resolution § 75-42)
Counsel and the co-op board presented a required continuing maintenance plan report for the Gilsey House in connection with a proposed transfer of approximately 86,000 square feet of excess development rights. The plan included immediate roof and ground-floor maintenance items and a future storefront master plan. The committee approved unanimously.
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Crown Building: Retail storefront master plan for future infill and signage (Fifth Avenue and West 57th Street; includes third-floor window zone)
Historic preservation consultants presented a master plan to govern future storefront infill and signage at the base of the Crown Building, emphasizing flexibility for future tenants while protecting the limestone framework and setting signage rules. Committee discussion focused on potential visual impacts, especially at the third-floor window zone. The committee approved with conditions by a 7–4 vote.
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Public testimony — 625 Madison (bulk, light/air, daylight scores, Central Park shadows, 59th Street pedestrian conditions, trees, transit bonus eligibility)
Multiple residents and architects (speaking as members of nearby buildings and professionals) opposed the requested waivers and massing, citing severe impacts on light and air, extremely low daylight scores, shadows on Central Park, and poor pedestrian conditions on 59th Street. Several supported subway accessibility but argued it does not justify the scale and zoning modifications.
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625 Madison Avenue — CPC authorizations for transit improvement bonus and zoning modifications (Fifth Ave–59th St station elevator)
The applicant team presented a proposal for a 34-story, 800-foot commercial building at 625 Madison Avenue and requested two CPC authorizations to obtain a 99,413 sq ft transit improvement bonus and related zoning modifications. The transit work would add a new ADA elevator and stair entrance at the Fifth Avenue–59th Street station.
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One Penn Plaza East POPS — Open-air café certification (three cafés)
The applicant team presented a City Planning Commission chair certification application for three open-air cafés within the One Penn Plaza East public plaza. They described the plaza configuration, prior 2019 upgrades, café locations, seating counts, circulation paths, and how the proposal meets zoning conditions for cafés in POPS.
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Vote results announcement — all items
The district manager announced vote totals for minutes and committee items, including landmarks approvals, POPS renewal, denial recommendation for the Herald Center billboard zoning proposal, DOB letter request for the Amaritania sign, opposition to a Times Square newsstand, approval of Rehearsal Club Way co-naming, and passage of the bylaws amendment.
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Land Use, Housing & Zoning Committee — Amaritania Hotel LED sign: request for DOB clarification/enforcement
The committee reported ongoing resident complaints about a north-facing illuminated LED sign on the Amaritania Hotel at West 54th Street and Broadway, including light trespass into bedrooms and sleep disruption. The board voted to send a letter to DOB requesting clarification of the sign’s legal status and intended actions.
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Land Use, Housing & Zoning Committee — 1293 Broadway (Herald Center) LED digital billboard special permit / zoning proposal
The committee recommended denial of a proposed large LED digital billboard at 1293 Broadway (Herald Center) and the creation of a new zoning provision (81-15) to allow it by special permit. The committee cited extensive viewshed impacts on nearby residential buildings, hotels, and dormitories and concerns about future residential growth in the area.
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Land Use, Housing & Zoning Committee — Fogo de Chão open air café (POPS) third renewal
The Land Use, Housing & Zoning Committee recommended approval of Fogo de Chão’s third renewal for its open air café/POPS arrangement, citing nearly a decade of cooperation, public seating without purchase requirements, and public bathroom access since 2017 without incident. The committee vote was unanimous.
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Landmarks Committee — 51 Madison Avenue (New York Life Building) storefront master plan
The Landmarks Committee reviewed a storefront master plan at 51 Madison Avenue (New York Life Building) to address deteriorating bronze window framing by installing aluminum framing while restoring and reinstalling original bronze on top. The committee approved unanimously, noting the exterior appearance would remain substantially the same.
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Landmarks Committee — 31 West 21st Street window replacement
The Landmarks Committee reported on an application at 31 West 21st Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District to replace windows. The committee recommended approval unanimously and suggested LPC consider a master plan for the building’s windows.
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Elected officials’ representatives (online) — State Senator Kristen Gonzalez (data centers; AI; immigration legal services; events)
A representative for State Senator Kristen Gonzalez reported on touring data centers and advocating for a Responsible Data Center Act and a one-year statewide moratorium, AI-related education legislation, backpack distribution, immigration legal services funding, MTA shutdown concerns, and upcoming Manhattan events including gardening hours and mobile office hours.
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Applicant presentation — Herald Center signage application (public hearing segment)
Representatives for the Herald Center signage application presented zoning and economic rationale and argued the sign is appropriate for the area. They emphasized the commercial context of 34th Street/Broadway and stated they had engaged with agencies and the community board. Supportive residents of Herald Towers said the sign would not be disruptive.
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Land Use Committee: 1293 Broadway (Herald Center) proposed LED digital billboard text amendment and special permit (ZR 81-15) — recommendation to deny
Land Use reviewed an application for 1293 Broadway involving a proposed zoning text amendment to create Zoning Resolution section 81-15 and a new special permit process for an LED digital billboard. The committee found the application failed the applicant’s own proposed finding regarding adverse impacts and recommended denial, voting 11–1–0.
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Landmarks Committee: 31 West 21st Street window replacement application
The Landmarks Committee reported on an application at 31 West 21st Street (Ladies’ Mile District) to replace exterior-facing windows for a 5th-floor unit with exact replicas. The committee recommended approval and requested that LPC require a master plan for the entire building. Approved unanimously.
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New York Life Building, 51 Madison Avenue – amend storefront master plan to replace bronze sash with aluminum sash while retaining decorative bronze elements
The applicant presented an amendment to the New York Life Building storefront master plan to replace deteriorated single-glazed bronze sash with energy-efficient double-glazed aluminum sash matching the bronze finish, while salvaging and reusing decorative cast bronze elements. After questions and public comment, the committee voted to approve.
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31 West 21st Street – window replacement for fifth-floor apartment
Northworks Architects presented a proposal to replace existing aluminum double-hung windows at a fifth-floor apartment with new aluminum double-hung windows matching the existing configuration. After questions and brief discussion (including encouragement of a building-wide master plan), the committee voted to approve.