This massive proposal will impact neighborhoods across the City.
The City Planning Commission is holding its public hearing on “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” (CoY/HO) all day on July 10th. If passed, this proposal will completely rewrite New York City’s zoning code.
But chances are you are not very familiar with it. The proposal runs over 1,400 pages, released just a few weeks ago. City Planning’s public information has been general and media attention has been scarce.
The goal of CoY/HO is to increase housing across the City. But we have significant concerns about how this will happen.
If you want to testify or send in a statement, here’s how:
City Planning often says that CoY/HO will create “a little bit of housing” everywhere, but this understates the massive changes it contains. The proposal is thousands of pages long and will affect the entire City.
- Development will be encouraged on green spaces in backyards and between buildings. It will mean less light and air for new and existing buildings. And it runs counter to the City’s sustainability initiatives.
- There will be some incentives for affordable housing, but many more for new, larger buildings with luxury condos and without affordable units.
- There will be less opportunity for public input on land use issues and new development.
Will this be the New York City that you want to live in?
To be clear, some of the proposals in CoY/HO are welcome, even overdue: for example, CoY/HO will encourage the conversion of existing, underused office buildings. Individual landmarks will have more flexibility in transferring their unused development rights, but we disagree with changes that would eliminate the public review process for these transfers.
But New York has never had enough housing, especially not enough affordable housing. Experts have different views on how to address this essential issue. Some say you can build your way out of it. Some say prices will only increase as more market-rate apartments are built. And CoY/HO is heavily weighted toward luxury condos.
The timing for any improvements to CoY/HO is tight. The City Planning Commission will likely vote in early fall. Changes are more likely to happen when the City Council hears it next.
Listen on July 10th so you know what to expect. Then contact your Council Member so they can clearly explain how CoY/HO will affect your neighborhood. Insist that the Council put the public voice back into this proposal and in future zoning changes.
One thing is certain: the public must understand the changes that CoY/HO will bring.
Don’t miss your opportunity to have your voice heard.
Sincerely,
Peg Breen, President
The New York Landmarks Conservancy