"Ripe With Opportunity": Midtown South Set to See Major Overhaul with New Zoning Proposal
In a move poised to alter the Garment District along with parts of Flatiron and Chelsea, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is targeting Midtown South as the first area where it’s flexing the city’s new powers to permit larger residential buildings than previously allowed.
Changes in the Works
At a Zoom information session Wednesday night to review the city’s plan to rezone 42 blocks between 23rd and 41st streets, between Fifth and Eighth avenues, the Department of City Planning is expected to announce that it is modifying its previously proposed plan for the area to take advantage of a new state law that allows the city to exceed a longstanding cap on the scale of new or renovated apartment buildings.
For decades, the so-called 12 floor-area-ratio, or FAR, cap has prohibited development any larger than 12 times the size of a building lot. The Department of City Planning will now propose that density in most of the area be increased to 18 FAR and the rest to 15 FAR.
Increased Density
This means buildings could be 25% or 50% larger than under the cap, enabling not only new construction but also reuse of longstanding industrial and office buildings – the kind of conversions that have transformed lower Manhattan into a mixed residential and office district.
Support for the Proposal
Helping chances of passage through the City Council, the proposal already has the support of local representatives, Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers.
Impact on the City
If adopted, the change could produce as much as 9,700 new housing units, up from about 4,000 in the original proposal. Since the city’s mandatory inclusionary requirement will apply, the new housing could produce 2,800 apartments with permanently affordable below-market rents.
Quotes from Officials
"Midtown South is one of the most transit- and job-rich areas of the city, but it’s long been held back by antiquated zoning that has restricted new housing. With action in Albany, we’re moving quickly to put new zoning tools to work to deliver more of the homes that New Yorkers urgently need," said Director of City Planning Dan Garodnick.
"Midtown South is ripe with opportunity for housing. In a post-pandemic world, it’s a perfect time to allow for office conversions to housing. The prospect of injecting Midtown with nearly 10,000 new homes is exciting and I look forward to the Midtown South Mixed Use Plan moving forward," said Council Member Keith Powers.
Conclusion
The proposed changes in Midtown South’s zoning laws could have a significant impact on the city’s housing market, providing more options for residents and helping to address the current housing crisis. With the support of local representatives and the Department of City Planning, the proposal is one step closer to becoming a reality.
FAQs
Q: What is the current zoning cap for Midtown South?
A: The current zoning cap is 12 FAR (floor-area-ratio).
Q: What are the new zoning proposals for Midtown South?
A: The new zoning proposal proposes a density increase to 18 FAR in most areas and 15 FAR in the rest.
Q: What is the expected impact of the proposed zoning changes?
A: The changes could produce as much as 9,700 new housing units, up from about 4,000 in the original proposal.
Q: What is the support for the proposal?
A: The proposal has the support of local representatives Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, and the Department of City Planning.
