Mayor Adams’ "City of Yes" Housing Plan Takes a Big Step Forward
Significant Changes Made to the Plan
The "City of Yes" housing plan, which aims to overhaul old zoning regulations and make it easier for all kinds of housing to be built across New York City, took a big step forward last week with some significant changes.
Deal Struck After Contentious Negotiations
After a day of contentious negotiations, a deal was struck between the mayor’s office and the City Council. The mayor agreed to adjust rules for parking minimums in some districts, limit new "accessory dwelling units," and pare back development districts in Queens and the Bronx.
"City of Yes" Gets a Yes
The adjusted City of Yes proposal passed the council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises 4-3, with "no" votes from council members representing less-dense neighborhoods on Staten Island and in eastern Queens. It was also approved by the Committee on Land Use 8-2, with one abstention.
Reactions to the Plan
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said the amended proposal doesn’t do enough to upzone low-density neighborhoods, which are typically wealthier and full of single-family homes. As a result, he said, those neighborhoods will remain "exclusive" and segregated, and pressure will increase in other areas.
Critics Say Plan Represents a Raw Deal for Brooklyn
Alicia Boyd, who is behind the group Movement to Protect the People, said City of Yes "will undo over a 100 years of zoning that has been put in place to protect the community" and will negatively impact the working and middle classes.
Support for the Plan
Fifth Avenue Committee executive director Michelle de la Uz said the group was fully supportive of the zoning reform, and in particular said the Universal Affordability Preference, lifting parking mandates, and enabling the creation of accessory dwelling units in some areas "will ensure that communities throughout the city are able to contribute to solving our housing crisis."
Some See Opportunity, Despite Setbacks
Ofer Cohen, co-founder of new Brooklyn-based housing development company Ailanthus, said City of Yes was "the most comprehensive citywide zoning reform in over 50 years, even despite the last-minute compromises, City of Yes is a critical step toward addressing New York City’s housing crisis, which has had a profound impact on Brooklyn and the entire city."
Conclusion
The City of Yes housing plan is a significant step forward in addressing New York City’s housing crisis. While there are concerns about the plan’s impact on certain neighborhoods and communities, many see it as a critical step towards creating more affordable housing options for New Yorkers.
FAQs
Q: What is the City of Yes housing plan?
A: The City of Yes housing plan is a zoning reform proposal that aims to make it easier for all kinds of housing to be built across New York City.
Q: What changes were made to the plan?
A: The plan was adjusted to include rules for parking minimums in some districts, limit new "accessory dwelling units," and pare back development districts in Queens and the Bronx.
Q: Who supports the plan?
A: The plan has received support from the Fifth Avenue Committee and Ailanthus, a new Brooklyn-based housing development company.
Q: Who opposes the plan?
A: Critics of the plan include Alicia Boyd, who is behind the group Movement to Protect the People, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
Q: What are the concerns about the plan?
A: Concerns about the plan include its impact on low-density neighborhoods, the potential for gentrification, and the lack of mandatory affordability requirements for new developments.
