The Conservancy testified on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity at an October 22 City Council hearing. This Adams administration proposal will rewrite New York’s zoning codes, allow for substantial new, market-rate housing construction, and eliminate much public review of future proposals.
Public comments split for and against the proposal during the 14-hour hearing. The Council will be taking a vote this fall, but before that, many Council Members are requesting changes.
Despite the vast changes that this 1,400-page proposal will bring, it has received little press attention. Contact your Council Member to ask how the mayor’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity will affect your community.
Conservancy testimony raised several issues:
- If City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is approved, many land use actions will no longer require a public review, eliminating your voice in future rezonings.
- This is the biggest change to New York City’s Zoning Resolution in decades, yet it has been rolled out in less time and with less meaningful public outreach than any neighborhood or even site rezoning.
- Landmarks will have new opportunities to transfer their unused development rights, but we objected to the elimination of public reviews for these transfers.
- Contrary to other City initiatives, this proposal prioritizes new construction over backyards and green spaces. Long-standing rear yard requirements will be reduced. Accessory dwelling units, such as backyard cottages, will be permitted. Campus “infill” rules will make it easier to build housing on open spaces owned by educational institutions or religious organizations.
- It’s hard to see how many developers will opt to create affordable units with special bonuses since City of Yes will have many other options for new, larger buildings.