City Quietly Rolling Back 1978 Anti-prostitution Zoning Law
Partner Mitch Korbey was quoted in PincusCo's article "City quietly rolling back 1978 anti-prostitution zoning law." The article focuses on the New York City Department of City Planning's (DCP) creation of new rezoned areas exempt from the 1970s anti-prostitution law. The antiquated law from 1978 imposes strict requirements on legal health clubs and gyms which as “physical culture establishments” must apply for a special permit to open up. A 2015 study found that small businesses attempting to comply with this arduous portion of the law could lose up to six months and $50,000 navigating the bureaucracy. Mitch Korbey, who has worked on a number of physical culture establishment applications, stated, “I think it’s wise. I think it’s a regulation that has outlived its initial intent.” The DCP has decided that for newly rezoned districts, physical culture establishments need not apply for special permits to open.