Chapter 8 - Special East Harlem Corridors District (EHC)

The City of New York
Eric Adams, Mayor
City Planning Commission
Daniel R. Garodnick, Chair

The “Special East Harlem Corridors District” established in this Resolution is designed to promote and protect public health, safety and general welfare. These general goals include, among others, the following specific purposes:

(a)        to encourage and guide the development of East Harlem as a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood by permitting the expansion and development of residential, commercial, community facility and light manufacturing uses in appropriate areas;

(b)        to encourage the development of residential uses along appropriate corridors;

(c)        to encourage the development of permanently affordable housing;

(d)        to facilitate the development of high-density commercial and manufacturing uses in order to locate jobs near transit connections;

(e)        to enhance the vitality of both existing and emerging commercial corridors by ensuring that ground floor frontages are occupied by active uses that enliven the pedestrian experience along the street;

(f)        to ensure that the form and use of new buildings relates to and enhances neighborhood character and responds to unique neighborhood conditions such as the Park Avenue viaduct; and

(g)        to promote the most desirable use of land in the area and thus preserve, protect and enhance the value of land and buildings and thereby protect City tax revenues.

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply within the Special East Harlem Corridors District. The regulations of all other Chapters of this Resolution are applicable, except as superseded, supplemented or modified by the provisions of this Chapter. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and other regulations of this Resolution, the provisions of this Chapter shall control. However, for transit-adjacent sites or qualifying transit improvement sites, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 6 (Special Regulations Applying Around Mass Transit Stations), the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 6 shall control. For the purposes of this paragraph, defined terms additionally include those in Section 66-11 (Definitions).

In flood zones, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 4 (Special Regulations Applying in Flood Zones), the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 4 shall control.

The regulations of this Chapter are designed to implement the Special East Harlem Corridors District Plan. The District Plan includes the map, “Special East Harlem Corridors District and Subdistrict,” in the Appendix to this Chapter which is hereby incorporated and made part of this Resolution for the purpose of specifying locations where the special regulations and requirements set forth in this Chapter apply.

138-03

Subdistrict

In order to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, the Park Avenue Subdistrict is established within the Special East Harlem Corridors District. The location of the Subdistrict is shown in the Appendix to this Chapter.

In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and Article IX, Chapter 5 (Special Transit Land Use District), the provisions of Article IX, Chapter 5 shall control.

In M1 Districts paired with a Residence District, the special use, bulk and parking and loading provisions of Article XII, Chapter 3 (Special Mixed Use Districts) shall apply, except where modified by the provisions of this Chapter, and shall supplement or supersede the provisions of the designated Residence or M1 District, as applicable.

In the Special East Harlem Corridors District, buildings containing residences shall be developed or enlarged in accordance with the Quality Housing Program and the regulations of Article II, Chapter 8 shall apply. The bulk regulations of this Chapter shall be considered the applicable bulk regulations for Quality Housing buildings.

The use regulations of the underlying districts, or Article XII, Chapter 3 (Special Mixed Use Districts), as applicable, are modified by the provisions of this Section, inclusive.

In C4 or C6 Districts, the provisions of Section 32-422 (Location of floors occupied by commercial uses) shall be modified such that the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of such Section need not apply, and the requirements in paragraph (b) of such Section shall apply only where commercial uses are located above any story containing dwelling units.

C1-5 C2-5 C4-6 C6-4 M1-6/R9 M1-6/R10

In the districts indicated, for the purpose of applying regulations applicable to public parking garages set forth in Article III, Chapter 2 (Use Regulations) and Article III, Chapter 6 (Accessory Off-street Parking and Loading Regulations), the regulations applicable to C2-4 Districts shall apply to all districts.
 

In the Special East Harlem Corridors District, all developments and enlargements shall comply with the bulk regulations for Quality Housing buildings, as modified by the provisions of this Section, inclusive.

In all districts, the floor area provisions of Section 138-21 (Floor Area Regulations), inclusive, and the street wall location provisions of Section 138-22 (Street Wall Regulations), shall apply. In Commercial Districts, the height and setback provisions of Section 138-23 (Height and Setback Regulations in Commercial Districts) shall apply. In M1 Districts paired with an R9 or R10 District, the height and setback provisions set forth in Section 138-24 (Height and Setback Regulations in M1 Districts Paired With an R9 or R10 District) shall apply.

Within the Special East Harlem Corridors District, the underlying floor area regulations shall apply as modified in this Section, inclusive.

  1. In certain Commercial Districts and in Manufacturing Districts paired with a Residence District, as shown on Map 2 of the Appendix to this Chapter, for any zoning lot containing residential floor area, the maximum residential floor area ratio shall be modified as follows:
    1.  for zoning lots complying with the applicable provisions of paragraph (d)(3) of Section 23-154 (Inclusionary Housing) or, for affordable independent residences for seniors, the maximum residential floor area ratio set forth on Map 2 shall apply;
    2. for zoning lots utilizing the provisions of paragraphs (d)(4)(i) or (d)(4)(iii) of Section 23-154, the maximum residential floor area ratio shall apply as modified in the table below:
       

      Maximum residential floor area ratio shown on Map 2

      Modified maximum residential floor area ratio

      8.5

      7.52

      9.0

      7.52

      10.0

      9.0

    3. except in C2 Districts subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, the maximum floor area ratio for any combination of uses shall be the maximum floor area ratio specified in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this Section, whichever is applicable; and
    4. in C4-6 Districts and in C2 Districts mapped within an R9 or R10 District, the floor area provisions of Sections 33-13 (Floor Area Bonus for a Public Plaza) or 33-14 (Floor Area Bonus for Arcades) shall not apply.
  2. In C2 Districts mapped within an R7D District that is also located within 100 feet of Park Avenue, the maximum community facility floor area ratio shall be 6.5, except that the applicable provisions of paragraph (d) of Section 33-121 (In districts with bulk governed by Residence District bulk regulations) shall apply to zoning lots containing philanthropic or non-profit institutions with sleeping accommodations or long-term care facilities.
  3. In the C4-6 District that is located on the west side of Third Avenue between East 121st Street and East 122nd Street, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 7.2.
  4. For transit-adjacent sites or qualifying transit improvement sites, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 6 (Special Regulations Applying Around Mass Transit Stations), the provisions of Article VI, Chapter 6 shall control. For the purposes of this paragraph, defined terms additionally include those in Section 66-11 (Definitions).

Within the Park Avenue Subdistrict, as shown on Map 1 of the Appendix to this Chapter, the floor area ratio regulations of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 138-211 are further modified in this Section.

(a)        Required non-residential floor area ratio

Where a development or enlargement of a building on a zoning lot, or portion thereof, located within the Park Avenue Subdistrict contains residentia floor area, such zoning lot shall provide a minimum non-residential floor area ratio as set forth below:

(1)        in M1-6 Districts paired with an R9 District, a minimum non-residential floor area ratio of 1.0 shall be provided;

(2)        in C6-4 Districts, and in M1-6 Districts paired with an R10 District whose maximum residential floor area ratio is 10.0, a minimum non-residential floor area ratio of 1.5 shall be provided; and

(3)        in M1-6 Districts paired with an R10 District whose maximum residential floor area ratio is 12.0, a minimum non-residential floor area ratio of 1.5 shall be provided.

(b)        Maximum floor area ratio for zoning lots within M1-6 Districts paired with an R9 District

In M1-6 Districts paired with an R9 District, the maximum floor area ratio for any use, or any combination of uses, shall not exceed 8.5.

(c)        Modified maximum floor area ratio for certain zoning lots

The floor area ratios set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section, and in Section 138-211, shall be modified, as follows:

(1)        the minimum non-residential floor area requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section shall be optional for zoning lots existing on or before November 30, 2017, with a lot area of less than 5,000 square feet;

(2)        for zoning lots subject to paragraph (c)(1) of this Section, the maximum floor area ratio for all uses shall be set forth as follows:

Maximum floor area ratio shown on Map 2

Modified maximum floor area ratio

8.5

7.52

10.0

9.0

All developments and enlargements within the Special East Harlem Corridors District shall comply with the street wall regulations of Section 35-651 (Street wall location), as specified and modified in this Section. Where M1 Districts are paired with R9 or R10 Districts, developments and enlargements within such districts shall comply with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section. The applicable provisions of Section 35-651 are specified and modified as follows:

(a)        Along wide streets other than Park Avenue

Along all wide streets other than Park Avenue, and along narrow streets within 50 feet of an intersection with such wide street, the provisions of paragraph (b) of Section 35-651 shall apply, except that the minimum base height shall be 60 feet, or the height of the building, whichever is less.

(b)        Along Park Avenue

Along Park Avenue and along narrow streets located within 100 feet of Park Avenue, the provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 35-651 shall apply, except that the minimum base height shall be 40 feet, or the height of the building, whichever is less.

(c)        Along all other streets

Along all streets not subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, the provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 35-651 shall apply, except that the minimum base height shall be 60 feet, or the height of the building, whichever is less.

(d)        Within flood zones

For buildings within the flood zone, the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section, as applicable, shall be modified as follows:

(1)        for developments or horizontal enlargements, or portions thereof, where no transparent materials are provided on the ground floor level street wall below a height of four feet above the level of the adjoining sidewalk pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-34 (Minimum Transparency Requirements), for a continuous distance of more than 25 feet, such street wall shall be located at least three feet beyond the street line; and

(2)        the area between such street wall and the sidewalk, or portions thereof, that do not contain any planting pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of Section 37-362 (Mitigation elements) for at least 70 percent of the linear footage, shall be improved to Department of Transportation standards for sidewalks, be at the same level as the adjoining public sidewalk and be accessible to the public at all times. In addition, such area shall provide visual mitigation elements in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-362 for at least 70 percent of the linear footage of such area per 50 feet of frontage.

In Commercial Districts, the underlying height and setback provisions are modified as follows:

  1. Basic Height and Setback Regulations

    In Commercial Districts, the maximum height of buildings or other structures shall be as set forth in Sections 35-652 (Maximum height of buildings and setback regulations) or 35-654 (Modified height and setback regulations for certain Inclusionary Housing buildings or affordable independent residences for seniors), as applicable, except that:
    1. the minimum base heights shall be modified by the provisions of Section 138-22 (Street Wall Regulations);
    2. in C2 Districts mapped within an R9 District that is also located within 100 feet of Third Avenue, the maximum building height for buildings utilizing the provisions of Section 35-654 shall be modified to 215 feet, and the maximum number of stories permitted pursuant to such Section shall be 21;
    3. in C4-6 Districts whose maximum residential floor area ratio is 9.0, as set forth on Map 2 of the Appendix to this Chapter, the applicable provisions of Sections 35-652 or 35-654 for R9 Districts shall apply, except that the minimum base height set forth in Section 138-22 shall apply, the maximum building height for buildings utilizing the provisions of Section 35-654 shall be modified to 215 feet, and the maximum number of stories permitted pursuant to Section 35-654 shall be 21;
    4. in a C2 District mapped within an R7D District that is also located within 100 feet of Park Avenue, the maximum building height for buildings utilizing the provisions of Section 35-654 shall be modified to 125 feet and the maximum number of stories permitted pursuant to such Section shall be 12; and
    5. where applicable, in lieu of the provisions of this paragraph, the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section may be applied.
  2. Alternate Height and Setback Regulations in Certain Districts

    In C2 Districts mapped within an R9 or R10 District, or in C4-6 or C6-4 Districts, as an alternative to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section, the provisions of this paragraph may be applied to zoning lots meeting the applicable criteria set forth in paragraph (a) of Section 23-664 (Modified height and setback regulations for certain Inclusionary Housing buildings or affordable independent residences for seniors), or to zoning lots where 50 percent or more of the floor area is occupied by non-residential uses.
    1. Setbacks

      At a height not lower than the minimum base height specified in Section 138-22 (Street Wall Regulations), nor higher than a maximum base height of 85 feet, a setback shall be provided in accordance with paragraph (c) of Section 23-662 (Maximum height of buildings and setback regulations). Above such required setback, any portion of such building shall be considered a “tower.”
    2. Lot coverage requirements for towers

      ​​​​​​​Each story of a tower containing residential floor area shall not exceed a maximum lot coverage of 40 percent, except that, for zoning lots of less than 20,000 square feet, such lot coverage may be increased in accordance with the table in Section 23-65 (Tower Regulations). Each story of a tower containing exclusively non-residential floor area shall not exceed a maximum lot coverage of 50 percent. However, where dormers are provided within the required setback, such portions of buildings shall not count toward the maximum allowable tower lot coverage set forth in this paragraph.
    3. Maximum tower height
      1. The maximum tower height shall be set forth on Map 3 of the Appendix to this Chapter. 
      2. In C2 Districts mapped within R9 Districts that are also located within the Special Transit Land Use District, for zoning lots which include a transit easement in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article IX, Chapter 5 (Special Transit Land Use District), the maximum tower height shall be: 
        1. 325 feet for zoning lots which include ancillary facilities with emergency egress and/or ventilation structures as specified in Section 95-032 (Determination of transit easement at other stations); and 
        2. 215 feet for zoning lots which include only transit facilities specified in Section 95-032 other than ancillary facilities with emergency egress and/or ventilation structures.

In M1 Districts paired with an R9 or R10 District, the applicable street wall location and minimum base height provisions of paragraph (b) of Section 138-22 (Street Wall Regulations) shall apply, and the applicable maximum height of buildings or other structures and setback provisions set forth in Section 123-66 (Height and Setback Regulations), inclusive, shall apply as modified in this Section.

(a)        In M1 Districts paired with an R9 District, at a height not lower than the minimum base height set forth in Section 138-22, nor higher than a maximum base height of 105 feet, a setback shall be provided in accordance with paragraph (c) of Section 23-662 (Maximum height of buildings and setback regulations). The maximum building height shall be 215 feet;

(b)        in M1 Districts paired with an R10 District whose maximum floor area ratio is 10.0, at a height not lower than the minimum base height set forth in Section 138-22, nor higher than a maximum base height of 155 feet, a setback shall be provided in accordance with paragraph (c) of Section 23-662. The maximum building height shall be 275 feet; and

(c)        in M1 Districts paired with an R10 District whose maximum floor area ratio is 12.0, at a height not lower than the minimum base height set forth in Section 138-22, nor higher than a maximum base height of 155 feet, a setback shall be provided in accordance with paragraph (c) of Section 23-662. The maximum building height shall be 295 feet.

The underlying ground floor level streetscape provisions set forth in Section 32-30 (STREETSCAPE REGULATIONS), inclusive, shall apply, except that ground floor level street frontages facing Second Avenue, Third Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Park Avenue and East 116th Street, or portions thereof, shall be considered Tier C street frontages.

Defined terms in this Section shall include those in Sections 12-10 and 32-301.

Where a development or enlargement is constructed on a zoning lot of at least 5,000 square feet that fronts on a portion of sidewalk containing a stairway entrance or entrances into the 116th Street Station of the Lexington Avenue subway line, such development or enlargement shall be subject to the regulations of Section 37-40 (OFF-STREET RELOCATION OR RENOVATION OF A SUBWAY STAIR).

The applicable parking and loading regulations of Article II, Chapter 5, Article III, Chapter 6, Article IV, Chapter 4 (ACCESSORY OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS) or Section 123-70 (PARKING AND LOADING), inclusive, shall be modified in this Section, inclusive.

Within C4-6 Districts, the City Planning Commission may, by special permit, allow a reduction or waiver in the number of required loading berths, provided that:

  1. curbside deliveries will not create or contribute to serious traffic congestion or unduly inhibit vehicular or pedestrian movement and will not interfere with the efficient functioning of nearby uses; and
  2. an efficient goods receiving system will be implemented within the commercial establishment to expedite the movement of goods from the curb to areas within the establishment.

The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area.

Appendix

SPECIAL EAST HARLEM CORRIDORS DISTRICT PLAN

        

Map 1: Special East Harlem Corridors District and Subdistrict (2/8/24)