79-402 - Special permit for development of bridges over streets

LAST AMENDED
2/2/2011


In a #large-scale community facility development# containing hospitals or functionally related facilities in Manhattan
Community Board 12, when the air space above a #wide street#, or portion thereof, is closed and demapped, the City Planning
Commission may, by special permit, allow the #development# in such demapped air space of an enclosed bridge or bridges to
connect #buildings# within the #large-scale community facility development#. As a condition for granting a permit for
#development# of such bridges, the Commission shall find that:

(a)    such bridge or bridges are essential to internal circulation of the medical function of the health care facility;

(b)    such bridge or bridges shall not rest upon columns or other supports which intrude upon the #street#;

(c)    the width of each such bridge shall not exceed 20 feet;

(d)    such bridge within the demapped air space utilizes only #floor area# derived from the adjoining #zoning lots# and that no
        #floor area# credit is generated from the demapped air space;
(e)    illumination of at least five foot candles is provided at the #curb level# of such bridge or bridges;

(f)   such bridge in demapped air space over a #wide street# adjoins #zoning lots# wholly within the #large-scale community
       facility development#;

(g)    the minimum horizontal distance between the nearest edges of two such bridges traversing the same #street# shall be two
        times the width of the #street#;

(h)    the maximum exterior height of each such bridge shall not exceed 12 feet;

(i)   the benefit gained from the bridge or bridges resulting from the #bulk# design or placement of such bridge or bridges
       outweighs any adverse impact on neighborhood character and any restriction of access to light and air to surrounding
       public spaces and #streets#; and

(j)   a landscaped open area for public use at #street# level, linked with the pedestrian circulation system, which is at least
        equivalent to the #street# area covered by the bridge is provided in one location within the #large-scale community
        facility development# and such open area is maintained with planting and seating facilities by the owner of the #large-
        scale community facility development# or the owner's designee.

The City Planning Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize the effect of the bridges,
including but not limited to clearance above the #street# and surfacing materials of the bridge.