A Divided City Council Approves Plan to Build 80,000 New Residences
A divided City Council gave the go-ahead on an update of the city’s zoning codes projected to create new capacity to construct up to 80,000 new residences over the next 15 years. The Council voted 31 to 20 to advance Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Housing Opportunity agenda — with some members saying they were moved to approve the package after obtaining concessions from the mayor’s original plans.
Council Speaker’s Emotional Plea
Before casting her vote in support, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made an impassioned speech on the floor of the Council chambers, saying New Yorkers who need places to live are counting on the Council.
"I am tired of the homelessness rate going up. I am tired of my community going south because their city is unaffordable for them to live in. I am tired of watching daily people on the brink of eviction and other means of losing their homes," she said. "This cannot be the Council that turns their back on [the] homeless. This cannot be the Council that turns their back and continues to say ‘Scrap it.’ Let’s move ahead."
Aims to Address Growing Inequities
The overhaul aims to address a housing shortage that has given New York City its lowest rental vacancy rate since 1968. The City of Yes plan seeks to create a "bit more housing in every neighborhood" to address growing inequities between areas that have produced a disproportionate amount of new housing and others insulated from new development by restrictive zoning codes.
Compromise and Concessions
The vote culminated a long campaign by the mayor and his deputies. Administration officials, including Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick and First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, appeared at rallies at City Hall over the past year to galvanize support for City of Yes, joined by some borough presidents. Meanwhile, fierce opposition arose in many outer-borough areas — including eastern Queens, southern Brooklyn and Staten Island — where residents voiced fears the zoning changes would dramatically alter the character of their neighborhoods and put further pressure on stretched sewers and streets.
The plan moved forward despite the opposition and a politically weakened mayor. Negotiations between the Council and the administration got down to the wire and resulted in a scaled-down plan. As part of negotiations, the Council secured $5 billion — including $1 billion from Gov. Kathy Hochul — to invest in sewer and flood-prevention projects, as well as initiatives that include financing for affordable housing development, expanded legal services for homeowners, help with down payments, and a boost for rent vouchers.
Key Changes and Provisions
Among other measures designed to boost growth, the new zoning lets developers build larger buildings if they include more than the minimum required housing for lower-income tenants, allows a minimum of five stories in areas that are close to transit and above retail, and makes it easier to convert office buildings to apartments.
Council Members Weigh In
In the chambers, Councilmember Carlina Rivera (D-Manhattan) framed her support of the plan as an acknowledgement that the city is "woefully behind in housing production." Councilmember Althea Stevens (D-The Bronx) also spoke in favor of the plan, saying, "I recognize halting the advancement of housing development will only deepen this crisis and harm the communities that I fight so hard to serve."
What’s Next?
The Council also approved three pieces of legislation to accompany the City of Yes plan. Two bills set up a basement apartment legalization program and lay out safety standards for those and other types of so-called accessory dwelling units. The third would reestablish a tax incentive to help co-op and condo owners rehabilitate their homes.
Conclusion
The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is a crucial step towards addressing the city’s housing crisis. While there is more work to be done, this plan marks a significant step towards creating more affordable housing options for New Yorkers. The Council’s approval of the plan is a testament to the importance of addressing the housing shortage and the need for more inclusive and sustainable urban planning.
FAQs
Q: What is the City of Yes plan?
A: The City of Yes plan is a zoning code update aimed at creating new capacity to construct up to 80,000 new residences over the next 15 years.
Q: What are the key changes and provisions in the plan?
A: The plan allows for larger buildings, easier conversion of office buildings to apartments, and reduced parking requirements in some areas.
Q: What was the vote on the plan?
A: The plan was approved by a vote of 31 to 20.
Q: What was the reaction to the plan?
A: Some Council members praised the plan, while others criticized it as a giveaway to developers or a one-size-fits-all approach.
