New to Planning?

What’s going on in my neighborhood?

The Department of City Planning, in partnership with Council Member Julie Won & WXY Studio, is creating a Neighborhood Plan for Long Island City.

Neighborhood planning is a process for communities to identify the neighborhood’s strengths and challenges, develop a vision and goals, and to create a comprehensive roadmap for the future. A neighborhood plan helps retain the best components of the neighborhood, guides public and private investment, and shapes growth on public and privately owned land so that current and future residents can thrive in place.

How does a Neighborhood Planning Process happen?

A neighborhood planning process starts by establishing a vision and goal for the future of the neighborhood, as well as a deep understanding of the issues and opportunities that exist. Community members and city agencies explore a wide range of topic areas including housing, public space, transportation, arts and culture, public health, as well as land use and zoning.

Next, a set of draft strategies, including a draft zoning proposal, are established. Zoning enters into Environmental Review, where we analyze potential impacts of the proposed changes on a variety of topics including schools, transportation, environmental quality, and public health. 

While Environmental Review is taking place, the City and community work in parallel to develop a package of capital investments, programs, services, and policy changes to support the neighborhood as it grows.

Finally, a Draft Neighborhood Plan is released so the public can see the latest zoning framework, as well as updates on projects, programs and investments. The plan enters the public review process, formally called the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).

During public review, Community Boards, the Borough President, the City Planning Commission, and the City Council will all weigh in on the zoning framework, hear public testimony, discuss potential commitments. 

At the end of the public review process, the Neighborhood Plan will be finalized. It will include a set of capital, program, and service commitments, as well as policy changes. 

Most development projects are “As of Right,” meaning the project follows existing zoning regulations (as opposed to requiring zoning changes to be built). As-of-right development involves limited City approvals and does not need to go through a public review process.