High Line zoning plan wins award

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden was in San Antonio, Tex., on April 25 to receive the American Planning Association’s 2006 Outstanding Planning Award for a Special Community Initiative. The award was for the West Chelsea High Line plan, initiated by Community Board 4 and developed by the commission for the district between 10th and 11th Aves. The prize recognizes the planned conversion of the High Line railroad between Gansevoort and 33rd Sts. into an elevated park as the central feature of the new West Chelsea zoning that the city passed last year. Under the plan, air rights along the High Line right of way are to be transferred to nearby development sites.