By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) on Monday testified that she opposes Mayor Eric Adams’ ambitious “City of Yes” plan.
In June 2022, Adams laid out a proposal to use the City’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability. The vision includes three major citywide amendments: Zoning for Economic Opportunity, Zoning for Housing Opportunity, and Zoning for Zero Carbon.
“We are going to turn New York into a ‘City of Yes’ — yes in my backyard, yes on my block, yes in my neighborhood,” Adams said. “These proposals focused on economic recovery, affordable housing, and sustainability will remove red tape for small businesses, expand housing opportunities in every neighborhood, and accelerate the transition to our energy future. New Yorkers are not going to wait around while other cities and other countries sprint towards a post-pandemic world, and now we won’t have to.”
The first citywide text amendment — Zoning for Economic Opportunity — will provide local businesses with the flexibility to repurpose their space for a post-pandemic city, Adams said. According to Hizzoner, the amendment will:
- Remove unnecessary geographic limitations on certain businesses, including life sciences, custom manufacturing, maker-retail, and nightlife;
- Eliminate obstacles to repurposing space, allowing the city’s businesses and economy to evolve over time; and
- Create flexibility for local businesses to expand without relocation and without triggering needs for additional parking.
Ariola said she is “unequivocally against the plan as it stands” and noted why in remarks before the Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises. On social media, Ariola encouraged her constituents to learn more about Adams’ proposal.
“The plan would modify both commercial and residential corridors across the city. Existing zoning regulations restrict certain kinds of businesses from opening in commercial or residential districts, something ‘City of Yes for Economic Opportunity’ seeks to change. It would allow commercial and retail stores in largely residential neighborhoods,” Ariola said.
On Monday, Adams hosted a rally on the steps of City Hall.
“Our City of Yes for Economic Opportunity agenda is so important,” the mayor said.
When we came into office, our mission was clear, protect the city with public safety, revitalize our economy and make our city more livable. With this revitalization of the economy, we must look at the rules that we are impacting the opportunity to do so. It’s crucial for us that New Yorkers know that zoning laws can restrict housing supply. We have a 1 percent housing vacancy rate and when you look at affordable housing, it’s down to almost zero. We know that if we innovate, we can continue to expand and grow as a city, but it also is an opportunity for us to see what opportunities are still out there and attract new businesses to the city.
Adams characterized his plan as “a set of 18 zoning changes that would update decades-old zoning codes. It will modernize regulations in an effort to support new business and create jobs. It will help revitalize commercial corridors, build vacant storefronts and boost our economic recovery across the board.”
