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Published: August 2006
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN LOCAL LAW 11 FILING REQUIREMENTS
New York, NY, August 22, 2006 - The Department of Buildings
of the City of New York has just issued a significant modification
of its policy regarding the Cycle 6 filing for Local Law
11 of 1998. This change comes in response to suggestions
made by CNYC and other organizations in the real estate
industry.
Local Law 11 requires that all New York City buildings
more than six stories high have the exterior inspected in
five year cycles, with a report filed by the inspecting
architect or engineer at prescribed times. Serious problem
conditions must be swiftly cured, and lesser flaws must
also be remedied prior to the next cycle filing or the building
is immediately declared Unsafe, subject to violations and
penalties.
Cycle 6 reports could be filed as early as March of 2005,
and they MUST be filed by February 21, 2007. Most buildings
have not yet filed, because they learn from their architect
or engineer that there is work to be done before the building
could file a spotless report, and they are in the process
now of trying to get all the work completed prior to the
February 21, 2007 filing deadline.
In the crush to get all cycle 6 work done, buildings are
beginning to experience difficulty ensuring quality work
at reasonable prices. For this brief period, contractors
have more work than they can handle with their trained crews;
they must either turn away opportunities or use less skilled
temporary labor for some tasks. And smaller buildings that
are not required to comply with Local Law 11now have almost
no place to turn if they want to do facade work.
Early this year, architect Stephen Varone contacted CNYC
with suggestions for relieving the pressure created by the
impending filing deadline; CNYC consulted with other key
organizations that agreed. Together they approached the
Department of Buildings to request modifications in the
filing requirements. DOB was receptive and worked with a
small committee consisting of Mr. Varone, engineer Kathleen
Needham Inocco, and property managers Michael Wolfe and
Paul Herman to find a solution.
The Department of Buildings has just amnounced a modification
of the Local Law 11 Cycle 6 filing requirements. DOB will
grant an extension of up to one year for buildings in need
of repairs that are not a threat to public safety, provided
that they file requisite forms by November 21, 2006.
CNYC has scheduled a workshop on Tuesday, September 12th,
where Steve Varone and Kathleen Needham Inocco, will discuss
the program modifications and offer advice on compliance.
The enclosed calendar gives further details.
Whether your cooperative is large or small, this development
is an important one. CNYC hopes to have continued success
in relieving the pressure of forced deadlines, while still
ensuring that the housing stock of our city is always safe
and well maintained.
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