74-171 - Laboratories

LAST AMENDED
6/6/2024

In #Residence Districts# and #Commercial Districts#, C1 or C2 Districts in the Borough of Manhattan, in other C1 or C2
Districts that are not #select commercial overlays#, and in other #Commercial Districts#, the City Planning Commission may
permit laboratories listed under Use Group VII, not otherwise allowed by the underlying #use# regulations. In conjunction with
such modifications the Commission may also permit modifications to the underlying #sign# regulations.

In order to grant such #use# modifications, the Commission shall find that such facility meets the applicable conditions of
paragraph (a), the findings of paragraph (b) and the additional requirements of paragraph (c)

(a)   Conditions

       As a condition for the special permit, such facility shall:

       (1)    conform to the performance standards applicable to M1 Districts;

       (2)    occupy a #zoning lot# containing no #residential use#; and

       (3)    in #Residence Districts#, occupy a #large-scale community facility development# or occupy either a single #zoning
              lot# used predominantly for #community facility uses# that has an area of at least 40,000 square feet, or two or
              more contiguous #zoning lot#, or lots that would be contiguous but for their separation by a #street#, under the
              same single fee ownership or alternate ownership arrangements, used predominantly for #community facility
              uses#, that has an area of at least 40,000 square feet; and

(b)    Findings

       In order to grant such permit, the Commission shall find that the laboratory:

       (1)    will not unduly affect the essential character or impair the future use and development of the surrounding area;

       (2)    will be located so as to draw a minimum of vehicular traffic to and through local #streets#;

       (3)    provides fully enclosed storage space for all raw materials, finished products, by-products and waste materials
              including debris, refuse and garbage; and

       (4)    with regard to #sign# modifications:

               (i)    the modifications are consistent with the amount and location of signage for other laboratories and are
                      appropriate on the #zoning lot#; and
              (ii)   #illuminated signs#, if provided, utilize an illumination type, and are located and oriented in a manner so
                     as to minimize any negative effects on nearby residences; and do not alter the essential character of the
                     adjacent area.

(c)   Additional requirements

      For the purposes of applying #bulk# regulations to such laboratory, the following shall apply:

      (1)    in all districts, where such laboratory will occupy a #large-scale community facility development# or occupy either
             a single #zoning lot# used predominantly for #community facility uses# that has an area of at least 40,000 square
             feet, or two or more contiguous #zoning lot#, or lots that would be contiguous but for their separation by a
             #street#, under the same single fee ownership or alternate ownership arrangements, used predominantly for
             #community facility uses#, that has an area of at least 40,000 square feet, the #floor area# associated with such
             laboratory shall be considered #community facility floor area#, and all other associated #community facility bulk#
             regulations shall apply; and

      (2)    in all other instances, the #floor area# associated with such laboratory shall be considered #commercial floor area#,
             and all other associated #commercial bulk# regulations shall apply.

Modifications to the applicable #bulk# regulations may be made in conjunction with such laboratory, by special permit of the
City Planning Commission, pursuant to Section 74-901.

In order to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare, the City Planning Commission may impose
additional conditions and safeguards and more restrictive performance standards where necessary.