Lisette Camilo, commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, which handles the deed restrictions, told the City Council Friday the administration is reviewing the process but refused to answer specific questions about the Rivington and Harlem deals.
The city has put all pending requests to lift deed restrictions on hold — halting 13 to 14 deals, she revealed.
“We put a stop to all of the deed modifications that have been in the pipe. We have put those on hold,” she said.
“The processes by which deed restrictions are valued, and restriction removals are authorized, are similarly under review and subject to overhaul,” Camilo said.
Councilman Ben Kallos, chair of the government operations committee, questioned why the city would “give a windfall to property owners.”
“How many more situations like Rivington and [St. Nicholas Ave., the Harlem site] are coming down the pike?” he said.