Vivien Krieger

Co-Chair, Zoning, Land Use & Development

Recent Publication:

City-Led Atlantic Avenue Rezoning Application Enters Public Review [Alert]

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.

Vivien concentrates her practice on real estate law, representing developers, lenders, owners, purchasers, and nonprofits in New York City land use and zoning matters.

Vivien regularly prepares applications and appears before various city and state entities, as well as public benefit corporations including, NYC City Planning Commission, NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Office of General Services, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port Authority of NY and NJ, and Empire State Development Corporation. She also presents projects to community boards and elected officials, and works closely with architects, engineers, financial experts, and environmental experts.

Vivien has drafted and negotiated various zoning lot development agreements, easement agreements, restrictive declarations, zoning opinions and letters, analyses of site development potential, zoning resolution determination requests, and zoning challenges. She has also litigated complex real estate matters involving land use.

Vivien is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) where she serves as a member of the Awards for Excellence in Development Committee and as a member of the Technical Assistance Panels Steering Committee. She also serves on the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee of the New York City Bar Association and she is a fellow of the Urban Design Forum.

Experience

News

Vivien Krieger Selected to Serve on ULI New York’s 2025 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee

September 12, 2024

Vivien Krieger has been selected to serve on Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s 2025 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee for the second year.

New York Approves Plan Paving Way for 7,000 Bronx Housing Units

August 16, 2024

Vivien Krieger was quoted in a CoStar News article regarding New York City’s approval of a plan to allow the development of approximately 7,000 new residential housing units in the East Bronx.

Cozen O’Connor Supports Urban Design Forum’s Global Exchange as Founding Member of its Global Circle

July 12, 2024

Cozen O’Connor has become a founding member of Urban Design Forum’s (UDF) Global Circle in support of UDF’s Global Exchange program.

Urban Design Forum and Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development Announce Local Center Design Teams

July 31, 2023

Vivien R. Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt will be leading the team, which will include Becca Eschen, Marnie Kudon, Jen Miller, Adam Morsy, Scott Pashman, Mateo Rendon, and Zach Samton, in providing legal support to the Local Center initiative in New York City.

Vivien Krieger Selected to Serve on ULI New York’s 2023 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee

June 06, 2023

NEW YORK, June 6, 2023 — Vivien Krieger has been selected to serve on Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s 2023 Awards for Excellence in Development Committee.

Rezoning of the Reform Temple of Forest Hills Synagogue Leads Discussion at Queens Public Land Use Hearing

October 27, 2022

Vivien Krieger is quoted in a QNS article that discusses the proposed development of a mixed-use building that would involve rezoning The Reform Temple of Forest Hills. A public land use hearing took place on October 27 to discuss this proposal.

Survey of Real Estate Professionals Finds Strong Optimism About New York City’s Future

October 06, 2022

New York City real estate professionals are feeling optimistic about the city, with anti-real estate sentiment among politicians topping their list of concerns, narrowly edging out the high cost of construction.

Vivien Krieger Continues Her Leadership at Urban Land Institute New York

July 23, 2021

Vivien Krieger, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been appointed chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s Technical Assistance Panels Steering Committee for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2021.

Vivien Krieger Appointed to Two Urban Land Institute New York Leadership Positions

July 08, 2020

Vivien Krieger, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been appointed vice chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) New York’s Technical Assistance Panels Steering Committee for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2020.

Vivien Krieger Named a 2019 Urban Design Forum Fellow

February 27, 2020

Vivien Krieger, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice, has been named to the 2019 Class of Forum Fellows by the Urban Design Forum.

12 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 19, 2017

Super Lawyers has named 12 attorneys at Cozen O’Connor to its 2017 lists of top practitioners in the New York metro area. Six were recognized as Super Lawyers and six were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

19 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 05, 2016

The 2016 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

21 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 05, 2015

The 2015 New York Metro edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 21 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Publications

City-Led Atlantic Avenue Rezoning Application Enters Public Review [Alert]

October 16, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss New York City's proposal to rezone Atlantic Avenue to spur development and affordable housing.

City Council Approves Bronx-Metro North Rezoning [Alert]

August 19, 2024

The New York City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Neighborhood Plan, the first New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) led neighborhood plan certified and approved under the Adams administration.

What NYC's Green Fast Track Means For Affordable Housing

July 09, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall co-authored a Law360 article on New York City Mayor Adams’ Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect on June 3.

Adams Administration Releases Draft Strategies for Long Island City Neighborhood Plan [Alert]

July 08, 2024

The NYC Mayor and NYC Department of City Planning (DCP), have unveiled a zoning proposal that could lead to development of more than 14,000 homes, more commercial space, and an improved public realm in Long Island City, Queens.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” Approved by the City Council [Alert]

June 10, 2024

On June 6, 2024, the New York City Council approved the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Economic Opportunity, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes initiatives.

Green Fast Track for Housing is Now in Effect [Alert]

June 04, 2024

Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall discuss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect June 3, 2024, and aims to shorten the lengthy environmental review process for certain residential developments.

New York City Releases Proposed Text for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity

April 17, 2024

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Meenakshi Srinivasan discuss the DCP's draft zoning text for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, the third of the Adams administration’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity to Include New, Higher-Density Residential Zoning Districts [Alert]

April 01, 2024

Vivien Krieger discusses the Adams Administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, which would introduce new higher-density residential zoning districts to New York City.

Mayor’s Proposal to Expedite Environmental Review for Certain Housing Scheduled for Public Hearings [Alert]

February 01, 2024

Vivian Krieger, Sunny Bhatt, and Rachel Scall discuss the Green Fast Track for Housing, a plan that would remove layers of environmental review for certain residential developments.

First “City of Yes” Zoning Initiative Approved by NYC Council [Alert]

December 11, 2023

On December 6, 2023, the New York City Council approved the first of Mayor Adams’ three “City of Yes” zoning initiatives.

NYC Mayor Adams' Zoning Initiative to Promote Residential Development [Alert]

September 25, 2023

Vivien Krieger, Rachel Scall, and Sunny Bhatt discuss how the initiative could make the largest changes to the NYC Zoning Resolution in more than a generation.

Adams Administration Announces Three New Initiatives to Spur Office-to-Residential Conversions

August 18, 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced three initiatives to assist in the creation of much-needed housing, including easing the office-to-residential conversion process.

Adams Administration Unveils the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Zoning Proposal” [Alert]

June 20, 2023

Sunny Bhatt, Rachel Scall, and Vivien R. Krieger discuss Mayor Adams' "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity" proposal, the second of the mayor’s City of Yes zoning initiatives.

City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality Enters Public Review [Alert]

April 25, 2023

The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality seeks to remove overly burdensome zoning requirements and expand opportunities for decarbonization projects in NYC.

Governor Hochul Announces Plan to Tackle New York’s Housing Crisis [Alert]

January 18, 2023

During her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York Housing Compact, a strategy to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.

NYC Task Force's Recommendations for Residential Conversion of Office Space [Alert]

January 11, 2023

New York City’s Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force released a study calling for more conversions of older office stock into much-needed housing.

Mayor Adams Announces “Get Stuff Built” Plan [Alert]

December 13, 2022

The Get Stuff Built report details 111 actions the city intends to take to reduce time, cost, and bureaucratic red tape during the development process.

Mayor Adams Outlines Vision for "City of Yes" [Alert]

June 06, 2022

Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan to amend the city’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability.

NYC Agencies Provide Guidance for Racial Equity Report Requirements

May 11, 2022

Beginning June 1, 2022, certain public and private applications before the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) must include a Racial Equity Report.

NY State Legislators Introduce Legislation to Protect SoHo/NoHo Residents

May 09, 2022

Senator Kavanagh, Assembly Member Glick have each introduced state legislation to permit residents to continue to occupy units previously reserved for artists.

Controversial Citywide Hotel Text Amendment Debated at City Planning Commission [Alert]

August 02, 2021

Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, Katie Schwab discuss the city’s proposed City-Wide Hotel Special Permit and how community boards and borough presidents are responding.

NYC Is Moving Towards Creating a Permanent Open Restaurants Program [Alert]

July 20, 2021

Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss Mayor de Blasio's plan to make the temporary Open Restaurants Program permanent.

NYC Council Approves Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications [Alert]

June 28, 2021

Alyssa Baldassini, Kaitesi Munroe, Vivien Krieger and Katie Schwab discuss the NYC Council Approval of the Proposal to Mandate Racial Equity Reports for Certain Land Use Applications

Where do the Mayoral Candidates Stand on Affordable Housing? [Alert]

April 22, 2021

Alyssa Baldassini, Lauren Turenchalk, Vivien Krieger, and Katie Schwab discuss the eight top Democratic candidates and their plans for affordable housing.

Mayor de Blasio Presses Forward with Citywide Zoning Agenda [Alert]

March 18, 2021

Alyssa Baldassini, Vivien Krieger, and Ken Fisher discuss a series of new proposed citywide zoning text amendments that are intended to improve transit station accessibility, incentivize the creation of local grocery stores, and alleviate regulatory burdens for gyms and restaurants.

Education

  • New York Law School, J.D., 2006
  • La Trobe University, B.A., 2001

Awards & Honors

New York Metro Super Lawyer "Rising Star," 2015-2017

The Top Women Attorneys New York Metro Super Lawyer "Rising Star," 2017

  • New York
  • Urban Land Institute New York:
    - Committee Member, Awards for Excellence in Development
    - Steering Committee Member, Former Chair, Technical Assistance Panels
    - Former Committee Member, Management Committee
    - Former Co-Chair, WLI Communications Committee
  • Urban Design Forum:
    - Fellow
    - Firm Representative, Founding Member of Global Circle for Global Exchange Program
  • New York City Bar Association:
    - Committee Member, Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee
  • The Real Estate Board of New York:
    - Member, Zoning and Design Committee