NYC Overcomes Crucial Hurdle On Housing Plan

New York City has taken a big step toward a new zoning plan that would create more affordable housing.

The City Council has secured concessions from the de Blasio administration that Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito says she’s now “comfortable” will allow the plan to pass the full Council next week. The changes were pushed by Councilmen David Greenfield and Donovan Richards.

Developers’ projects must now include some apartments affordable to residents who make 40 percent of the area’s median income — about $31,000 for a family of four. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s initial proposal placed that number at 60 percent — or $47,000.

Another modification dealt with building height and parking requirements. Under the initial plan, new developments within “transit zones” that were deemed close to public transportation were not required to provide off-street parking spots.

However, some areas designated as transit zones were, in fact, not well-served by public transit. As a result, the requirement for off-street parking was kept in the zoning plan.

De Blasio called the agreement a “watershed” moment.

This article appeared in print on page 28 of the March 16th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.