In its continuing quest for greater transparency, the Department of Buildings announced yesterday that it would begin requiring developers to post architectural drawings of new projects and significant additions online for a 30-day public review and challenge period. "This new process will give the public a chance to see what a building will look like before the first shovel hits the ground and developers certainty that once the public has had an opportunity to comment and any compliance issues have been resolved, their project can move forward," said DOB Commissioner Robert D. LiMandri. New York is the first city to implement a requirement like this. The new rules will go into effect as soon as March 9, 2009. This sounds like great news to us—now all we need are some new development projects!
