New York City Council’s Land Use Committee raised objections on May 22nd to the text amendment regarding mixed-use zoning for economic opportunities in the “City of Yes” proposed by the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP), demanding authorities to expedite the release of the last-mile delivery center’s permit as a negotiating condition.
The Land Use Committee, as disclosed by the City Council, limited the expansion of family businesses operated by New Yorkers in mixed-use areas, such as hair salons and interior decorator offices, citing concerns for impacting residents’ quality of life. It also prohibited the establishment of cannabis farms in residential buildings within mixed-use zones.
Furthermore, the committee requested that the maximum office area for family businesses be capped at 1,000 square feet, with a reduction in staff to just one employee and a prohibition on animal-related enterprises. Despite the ban on nightclubs in residential buildings, approval was given to hire additional staff for the New York City nightlife office to address the frequent complaints of nightclub noise from New Yorkers.
Chair of the Land Use Committee and Council Member Rafael Salamanca stated in a release on Wednesday that the objections raised were to ensure that the text amendment for mixed-use zoning for economic opportunities in the “City of Yes” benefits all New Yorkers.
Salamanca mentioned that negotiations with the City Planning Commission (CPC) included seeking permits for operators to apply by March 2025, as well as increasing distribution centers and micro-distribution center permits needed for opening stores outside of Manhattan, as the distribution centers in Manhattan are currently overloaded.
The committee’s efforts to negotiate additional permits with the city government aim to “address the facility issue of overcrowded ‘last-mile (delivery)’ in the community and protect local residents from the proliferation of micro-distribution centers,” according to Salamanca.
During the initial stages of the pandemic, e-commerce giant Amazon established a significant number of delivery centers, a matter that Salamanca expressed has greatly troubled the city of New York.
The “City of Yes” trilogy: zero carbon emissions, economic opportunities, and housing opportunities, is also viewed as an important achievement by Mayor Eric Adams. Despite the City Council’s insistence on substantial adjustments to the proposed land use amendment, Adams respects the council’s decision, considering it a “significant step” in rebuilding New York City’s economy to make it more suitable for the working class to reside in.
However, Adams also urged the City Council to pass the “economic opportunities” proposal when it goes to a full vote in the coming weeks.
Following the Land Use Committee’s objections, the City Planning Commission (CPC) will need to revise the proposal according to the City Council’s recommendations before it can be voted on by the full council in June.