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At a June 26, 2026 scoping meeting for the Independence Plaza Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD) modification, city planners and the applicant presented plans for a new 1,090-foot residential tower, added streetwall buildings, and a large increase in dwelling units; the meeting covered tower height, unit totals, sources of transferred floor area, and environmental review scope. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171
# What’s happening
– The applicant seeks approval for a residential tower up to 1,090 feet. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
– The proposal would increase units to about 1,391, an increment of roughly 929 units. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1678
– The project would use existing, unused zoning floor area and UAP transfers, not new zoning changes. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1086
# Why it matters
– Residents of Independence Plaza, nearby Tribeca blocks, and adjacent landmarks face construction, shadow, and displacement risks. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=3830
– The proposal changes housing supply locally by adding hundreds of units and relocating affordable units offsite. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1755
# Key details
– Proposed tower height: up to 1,090 feet. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1678
– Proposed low-rise streetwall heights: two buildings along Greenwich Street and one on Harrison Street at 125 feet. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
– Existing site: approximately 469 dwelling units, 21,000 gross square feet commercial, and 232 parking spaces. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1678
– With proposed action: approximately 1,391 dwelling units total; environmental-review increment ~929 units. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
– Floor area source: roughly 600,000 square feet of unused zoning floor area on site and up to ~195,000 square feet via UAP (as described in filings). Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1086 and https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
– Assumed build year for environmental analysis: 2032. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1755
Main article body
The Department of City Planning held an environmental scoping meeting on June 26, 2026, for a proposed modification to the Independence Plaza Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD). Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171
The applicant presented two tower massing options: a square point tower (Option A) and a rectangular slab tower (Option B). Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171
The application describes a central residential tower up to 1,090 feet tall, set back from Greenwich Street. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
The ground plan includes two new street wall buildings along Greenwich Street and a Harrison Street building, each rising to 125 feet. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
Presenters said the proposal would increase total dwelling units on the site to about 1,391 units; planners used an environmental-review increment of approximately 929 additional units. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
The project team also described an alternative slide that listed up to approximately 900 new dwelling units and referenced up to about 195,000 square feet of floor area to be used pursuant to UAP in filings. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
Meeting materials reported the existing site condition as roughly 469 units, about 21,000 gross square feet of commercial space, and 232 parking spaces. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1678
Presenters said the proposal would rely on zoning floor area already available on the property; they noted about 600,000 square feet of unused zoning floor area remains on site. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1086
The applicant stated the modification does not change the underlying C6-4 zoning, does not seek new waivers, and does not increase existing non-compliances. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1086
The application described providing up to 251 affordable units through UAP transfers, to be located within Community District 1 or within a half mile of the project area. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1755
The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will analyze up to 20 technical areas and assumes a build year of 2032; the team said they would screen out water/sewer, solid waste/sanitation, and energy from detailed study. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1755
Community speakers urged broader study of shadows, construction impacts, wind effects, vibration, historic-resource risks to adjacent landmarked townhouses, and displacement of low-income and senior residents. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=3830
Fact block — Department of City Planning (DCP)
– Role or jurisdiction: City agency leading environmental review and public scoping process for land-use modifications.
– Action taken or responsibility: Hosted the EARD scoping meeting and will oversee DEIS scope and process.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Scoping meeting held June 26, 2026; build year used for analysis assumed 2032. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171 and https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1755
Fact block — Morajme Architects / project planning team (as named at meeting)
– Role or jurisdiction: Applicant design and planning team presenting tower massing and site plans.
– Action taken or responsibility: Presented two tower envelope options and the site plan for the south block.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Presented tower options and described 1,090-foot maximum height. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171 and https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
Fact block — Applicant / developer (unnamed in record)
– Role or jurisdiction: Owner/applicant seeking a non-ULURP modification to the Independence Plaza LSRD.
– Action taken or responsibility: Filed modification to locate and utilize existing zoning floor area for a new tower and new streetwall buildings.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Described using up to ~195,000 sq ft via UAP and relying on about 600,000 sq ft unused zoning floor area. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1086 and https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
Source notes and meeting context
– This article summarizes testimony and project descriptions given during the Department of City Planning EARD scoping meeting for Independence Plaza on June 26, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1171
– Community testimony cited in this article reflects statements made at the June 26 scoping meeting about shadows, construction, wind, vibration, historic resources, and displacement. Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=3830
(Questions about permits, final unit counts, or the developer’s detailed affordability commitments will be resolved in the DEIS and subsequent filings; the meeting materials described above were the basis for figures cited.) Source: https://youtu.be/EFEjeMVGizQ&t=1513
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