by: Bria Donohue
Yesterday, AIA New York members came out in force to say Yes to Housing! Over 700 speakers signed up to testify at the more than 14-hour long City Council Land Use Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises hearing.
AIANY strongly supports the proposed citywide zoning text amendment, City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. We recognize that zoning changes on their own will not solve the city’s housing crisis, but rather they serve as a vehicle to unlock opportunity. As Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso noted in his remarks to the Council, this proposal is a chapter in the book to address our city’s housing crisis. Two things can be true at the same time–this proposal can make good pragmatic changes to our city’s zoning and there is more to be done to create affordable housing.
We encourage the Council to invest in the City’s capital budget for affordable housing and in critical infrastructure projects, such as sewars and public space, while also passing this proposal in its entirety. Each component of the proposal builds on the other to create the housing we need. Take out parking mandates, for example, and key elements of the proposal like Transit Oriented Development, Town Center Zoning, or Accessory Dwelling Units do not work.
The Council is expected to vote before the end of the year on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.
You have 72 hours post-hearing to submit any remaining comments to the City Council. Email landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov with your written testimony.