Requires notice to adjoining owners of construction, excavation or demolition work

BILL NUMBER:S402A

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to permits for construction, excavation or demolition

Purpose or general idea of bill

Requires notice to owners of adjoining property before construction, excavation or demolition work is performed.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends Section: 28-105.12.7.1 adding proof of such insurance together with the permit to the owners of adjoining property ninety days prior to the commencement of the construction, excavation or demolition work.

Justification

Construction, demolition, or excavation work which is performed on a building which shares a wall with the neighboring building is always complicated, and the consequences of performing that work, especially as they relate to threats to public safety, must be considered before the work is performed. In some instances the neighbor will actually be able to provide information which can highlight some potentially dangerous conditions so they can be properly addressed.

This is illustrated by a building collapse which occurred in June 2009. The building 493 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY collapsed in large part because the engineers and contractors were unaware of a several significant several story vertical cracks which were clearly visible to tenants at 491 Myrtle Avenue. As a result, the appropriate precautions were not followed, and 493 Myrtle collapsed to the ground. Several people were injured and fourteen were left homeless. Thankfully, no one lost their lives. Had this legislation been in place this unfortunate incident would not have occurred. It is imperative that this legislature does what it can to avoid future avoidable accidents.

Prior legislative history

First introduced in 2010.

Fiscal implications

Unknown.

Effective date

Immediately.