...even as views on parking have changed dramatically, zoning mandates have remained steady in much of New York. The city still requires most outer borough and upper-Manhattan builders to provide approximately one off-street parking space for every two units of housing.
Some planners say it is high time these dusty, worn-out regulations are replaced.
“These rules are from a time when people thought it was the government’s role to encourage driving,” said Juliette Michaelson, vice president for strategy at the Regional Plan Association. “In a time when we have a huge demand for housing, but are trying to reduce driving and therefore parking, eliminating a minimum parking requirement could be a big deal.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration has taken a first, big step toward changing those zoning requirements. As part of a new set of zoning overhauls introduced last month, the city proposed doing away with parking requirements for new low-income, inclusionary and affordable senior housing units that are within a half-mile of mass transit. It would also reduce those parking requirements on mixed-income housing where it would benefit the construction of affordable units.
The latter provision, which would happen on a case-by-case basis, might prove the most promising to developers. It’s not as broad a change as many have sought, but could be more valuable than it sounds.
De Blasio’s affordable housing plan, which calls for the creation of 80,000 affordable units and 160,000 market-rate units, will include rezonings in 15 different neighborhoods where all new development will be required to include affordable apartments.
It’s possible the parking requirements could be lifted for hundreds of projects. And where affordable won’t be required, the possibility of reducing parking could serve as an incentive to build inclusionary housing—much the way the city’s voluntarily inclusionary program gives bonus floor area for affordable units.
21 comments:
The Manhattan Bubble people, and now Downtown Brooklyn Bubble people, are again utterly clueless about the realities of the outer Boroughs. There are many places in the city where public transport is not easily available, or where, even if it is somewhat available, parents still need to own a car to drive their kids to classes or go distant places that it would take endless hours through public transport. By doing away with the parking requirement, cars will be parked everywhere, plus take into account the empty bike lanes that often take away parking spaces. CLUELESS.
If elected officials were required to live in the communities they represent, this wouldn't be an option. Just because you live within half a mile of transit doesn't mean you have a real transit option. Notice this didn't even say a half mile from a train, just "mass transit". Who wants to walk half a mile to a bus that is another ridiculous distance from a train. FAIL
No one is building affordable housing near mas transit, and the real affordable housing is generally miles from a train (which don't run all that well anyway).
We need improvements in infrastructure first then build the new housing units. Quenns Blvd. and the subway under it were built long before most of the buildings along the route.
Is this guy F---ing kidding us. Wake up New Yorkers. It's already to late and it's only getting worst.
The city can't handle what we have. Why
do they continue to make it worst.
I agree, why worry about parking for affordable housing.
Why didn't someone think of this sooner This is a great idea. Lets keep voting for the idiots who support this stuff.
The city can't support what we have now. call your elected official or 311 with a complaint and then maybe you will realize the system isn't working.
The parking requirements for Macedonia church's affordable housing project on Flushing's municipa parking lot #1, were removed. If it is real affordable housing for people who cannot afford better, they probably cannot afford a car. So what is the need for a parking spot? At least that is what NYC would have us believe.
Well, where does you local councilman stand on this? eh?
This mayor is going to ruin on of the best cities in the world.
We need the local councilmen and assemblymen to stand up and defend their communities.
Take note people, are your elected officials going to take this lying down or bending over?
This madness has to stop!
Well, where does you local councilman stand on this? eh?
HA HA HA
I drive a car because I want to drive a car. I avoid collectivist transit as much as possible. The car is the symbol of American freedom. Stick it in your pipe and smoke it.
This is incredible. DeBlasio took everyone forba fool, he is a terrible mayor. At least Bloomberg liked NYC, it's seems that the new mayor couldn't give a sh*t what's best for all tyoes of ppl living in NYC and just wants to go along with his nonsense agenda. Don't forget it's all the make himself and his developer buddies the big $$$
In every neighborhood in the city there is a positive correlation between household size and car ownership.
Overall, percent of households with a car by size of household:
One person: 26%
Two person: 46%
Three person: 54%
Four or more person: 62%
In one eastern Queens zip code where car ownership is much higher, 11364:
One person: 73%
Two person: 90%
Three person: 96%
Four or more person: 95%
Yet a 1500 sq foot apartment for a family that is more likely to own at least one car has the same parking requirement as a 400 sq foot studio. So the young single people complain, rightly so, that they're being forced to pay for parking through higher rents. And the young single people who want to live in smaller apartments if that's the price to pay for living in their neighborhood of choice also have to deal with an artificial supply constraint. Zoning regulations limit both the overall buildable square feet, and place a maximum number of dwelling units on the lot. The marginal cost of building 800 sq foot units instead of 500 is small next to the cost of land, so those who can only afford 500 square feet get outbid by those who can afford 800.
The housing regulations in the city are a byzantine mess long overdue for a massive overhaul, not just tinkering around the edges like this.
I wish everyone could ring the limo driver,Be out front in 5 minutes!!
Then no one would need a car.
What do you call it when you get caught up in a traffic jam or gridlock, George? Collectivist driving and an infringement on personal freedom?
I noticed they included senior housing in their hit list. They drop their parking requirements if public transport is available within a half mile. So the elderly would walk an entire mile round way to catch the bus, and that only on the home side of their trip. Welcome to New York.
"...a traffic jam or gridlock ..."
No problemo. I turn on the stereo with surround sound and relax until the road is clear. Better than being sardine-canned like a peasant on a subway or bus. And you know it. The open road is America at its best.
"A peasant on a subway or bus." I'd rather be that than an arrogant boor in a car. Personal freedom. And where is there an open road around hrre?
"And where is there an open road around hrre [sic]?"
In one's mind. The Pursuit of Happiness = one's car. The Pursuit of Misery = subways and busses.
I have not owned a car since 1970. My freedom is using the LIRR to bypass downtown Flushing from eastern Queens. When I need automobile freedom, I call a car service...a lot cheaper in the long run...based on yearly use. Freedom is in the head. How free can you feel locked in urban gridlock? The subway gives me the freedom....as an American...to slip past the traffic jam in the above Manhattan streets. Enough said!
"The subway gives me the freedom..."
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The subway doesn't give you surround sound. It gives you surround dreck, garbage, filth and vermin.
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