A new agreement between the City Council and the administration of Mayor Eric Adams about the City of Yes zoning plan is expected to significantly alter New York’s housing plan. According to Crain’s New York, this plan will revise the city’s zoning code for the first time since 1961. After much deliberation and compromise, the updated plan, which passed important committee votes and will be decided by the entire council on December 5, intends to add roughly 80,000 homes—less than the initial target of 100,000.
There have been compromises made in a number of areas, even though some proponents of urban expansion saw the plan as the foundation for a future with a higher population density: In the midst of these recalibrations, parking requirements, accessory dwelling units, and a scaled-back plan for small apartment buildings in outer boroughs will now be part of a cityscape contorting plan. The NY Daily News illustrates how the new 80,000 units—albeit fewer than initially planned—signalize an era of more densely populated Big Apple, changing a narrative on housing that has remained stagnant for the duration of a human lifetime. Moments after the vote, Mayor Adams said, “Nothing has been done with this over half a century,” demonstrating his excitement as well as the timeline’s inertia.
Unlike some cities that have eliminated parking requirements entirely, the updated proposal maintains a three-tiered parking scheme, striking a balance between the needs of car-dependent communities and the city’s objectives. “While cities across the country are fully lifting parking mandates, the New York City Council chose to be less bold,” said Sara Lind, co-executive director of Open Plans, one supporter who voiced disappointment, according to Crain’s New York.
The new plan is expected to present issues for zoning specialists, who will need to adjust to new definitions and standards. Some could choose to retire instead than accept the challenge. Despite their disruption, the reforms are necessary, according to land-use lawyer David Rosenberg. To make the endeavor even larger, Mayor Adams is also dedicating $5 billion to enhance housing agencies and infrastructure.
The plan represents a change in the city’s housing strategy and is pending final approval in December. It implies that rather than being a contributing factor to gentrification, increasing housing density is viewed as a way to address the housing problem. Recent neighborhood rezonings and zoning revisions are reflected in this, indicating a new vision for New York that emphasizes compact growth for sustainability in the future.
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