The Planning & Zoning Board voted Oct. 29 to recommend approval of rezoning, a special-use permit to expand the MBD overlay and associated variances for 267 East 40th Street to permit a three-story, 10-unit multifamily building.

Bill Riley, representing the applicant, said the lot was platted in 1953, contains an older single-family-turned-office structure, and is suitable for a low-rise residential redevelopment. The proposal includes covered parking on the ground floor, elevator access, and a compact layout providing 10 rental units. Riley said the applicant will comply with parking dimensions and code requirements and does not request parking relief beyond what the staff report already addresses.

Staff recommended approval with conditions including a recorded declaration of restriction to develop the site per signed plans, a one-time monetary contribution to the Friends of the Higher Line ($20,000), calculation and payment of landscape-mitigation fees during site-plan review, and reconstruction of the sidewalk to remove a curb cut during the site-plan process.

Board members expressed general support for the design and approved the rezoning, SUP and variances with the staff-recommended conditions. The board's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

(Approved action: rezoning to R-3-3, SUP expansion of MBD, variances for pervious area and parking; conditions include recorded declaration, Friends of the Higher Line payment and landscape/sidewalk mitigation.)