Matt Waskiewicz’s Post

NYC Approves Second Phase of 'City of Yes' Zoning Changes. The recently approved measure, known as "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity," focuses on simplifying business operations and expansions in NYC. This initiative expands light manufacturing areas, permits more businesses to operate from homes, and allows businesses to operate on the upper floors of mixed-use buildings. #NYC #CityofYes #ZoningChanges

Great piece by Larisa Ortiz. The very first paragraph sets the tone for a good case made against, particularly, use restrictions that block small business growth, pivoting, diversification and, ultimately, the experiences that they can offer. When I was at Gridics, I went through the entire code and found the definition of “use groups” useful, in direct opposition to the intrusively micromanaged individual use definitions, which IMO are the exact problem that Larisa exposes. Use groups can be categorized by e.g. noise, emissions, and loading/unloading needs, so that small print shops, carpenter and bike repair shops, can safely coexist with restaurants or daycare centers, making cities more inclusive, and allowing the benefits of agglomeration to emerge, such as the proximity to labor markets. I truly hope the “City Of Yes” grows to become a nationwide questioning not only of midcentury (20th, in case you ask) urban ideas that have been proven detrimental, but of the recurrent micromanagement of private spaces, which hinders 89% of businesses in NYC, and likely a similar percentage in the place you read this post from.

Mayor Eric Adams is championing a significant initiative dubbed the "City of Yes for Economic Opportunity," which has recently been approved by the New York City Planning Commission and is set for City Council review on April 8. This initiative represents the most extensive modification in New York City's commercial and manufacturing zoning rules in six decades. Its adoption could revolutionize the city's economic landscape by permitting small clean production businesses, like small-scale manufacturers, to operate in commercial corridors across all five boroughs—a first for New York City. Small-scale manufacturing is a vital sector that encompasses businesses creating a variety of products, from electronics to artisanal goods, which are sold both in physical stores and online. These businesses, often originating from home-based operations that tap into the community's unique culture and heritage, can evolve into brick-and-mortar establishments, thereby becoming community assets. This growth not only fosters local employment but also injects money into the local economy, contributing to community development and wealth creation. Importantly, the initiative also aligns with efforts to reduce the racial wealth gap, as business ownership has been linked to significant increases in wealth among minority communities. The proposal includes environmental safeguards and limits on the size of these businesses to ensure they integrate well into neighborhoods without overwhelming them. By potentially aligning New York City with other major cities that have embraced small-scale manufacturing, Adams' initiative aims to catalyze economic revitalization, promote middle-income job creation, and encourage community engagement and pride. If enacted, it could position New York City as a national leader in urban economic strategy, setting a benchmark for others to follow.The initiative is not just about economic growth; it's about building a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant city post-pandemic, embodying New York's spirit of renewal and innovation. #CityOfYes #EconomicOpportunity #SmallScaleManufacturing #NYCRevitalization #CommunityWealthBuilding #InclusiveGrowth #SustainableDevelopment https://lnkd.in/efy4TWrq

The New York City Council has passed a revised version of Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” plan, aiming to remove outdated zoning restrictions on businesses. This initiative, designed to simplify business operations and growth, represents the second of three zoning overhauls led by the Department of City Planning. However, the final version excludes a controversial proposal to increase the number of corner stores in residential neighborhoods due to community concerns, particularly from the outer boroughs. Despite this significant change, the bulk of the zoning package remains intact. Key measures include expanding light manufacturing opportunities, allowing limited indoor agriculture, and updating regulations for manufacturing and auto repair shops. Additionally, the Council added several commitments to support these changes, such as a $4.7 million investment to hire 60 new Department of Buildings staff and enhancing the Office of Nightlife to aid with compliance. There is also an agreement to begin regulating last-mile warehouses. The revised plan passed with votes of 5-2 in the Zoning and Franchises subcommittee and 8-2 in the Land Use Committee. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks from Staten Island, who voted against the plan initially, acknowledged the improvements but noted her district's opposition to the proposal. The “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” is part of a larger three-pronged initiative by the Adams administration. The first, focused on carbon neutrality, was enacted in December without issues. The third and most contentious component, “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” aims to address the city's housing crisis by allowing more housing construction across neighborhoods and is currently under community board review. Given the recent adjustments, further negotiations and modifications are anticipated for the housing proposal before it reaches a final vote. The final vote on the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” is scheduled for June. #NYCCouncil #ZoningReform #CityOfYes #EconomicOpportunity #NYCBusinesses #MayorAdams #UrbanPlanning #CommunityConcerns #HousingCrisis #LocalGovernment #EconomicGrowth https://lnkd.in/ezwnWxJc

"The City of Yes" : Important changes and implications for zoning in New York City: 1.     Commercial Flexibility: Commercial Uses in Mixed-Use Buildings🏢: Adjustments allow for commercial activities on upper floors of mixed-use buildings but prohibit rooftop bars🍸 and amusement uses🎢 above residences. 2.     Home-Based Businesses🏠: The zoning plan now includes clearer rules for home-based businesses, capping their size at 1,000 square feet and limiting the number of employees to one👤. 3.     Manufacturing and Industrial Protection🏭: Industrial Zones🛠️: A new category of manufacturing district will limit commercial uses to 10,000 square feet per lot and ban big-box retail🛍️ in these areas to protect industrial jobs. 4.     Indoor Agriculture🌿: Restrictions now prohibit the indoor cultivation of cannabis🌱 in commercial districts. 5.     Vacant Storefronts in Historic Districts🏛️: Adjustments to allow only small-scale retail🏪 in re-occupied storefronts in historic districts, rather than larger businesses like department stores🏬. Implications for Zoning: 1.     Modernization and Economic Stimulation🚀: The plan is designed to update zoning laws to better reflect modern economic activities and business needs, promoting a vibrant, mixed-use urban environment🌆. 2.     Balancing Growth and Community Concerns⚖️: The adjustments reflect a careful balancing act between stimulating economic growth📈 and addressing community concerns about noise🔊, pollution🌪️, and changes to neighborhood character🏘️. 3.     Enhanced Regulatory Framework📝: The introduction of special permits and specific restrictions (e.g., for last-mile delivery facilities🚚 and rooftop bars🍸) indicates a more nuanced and proactive regulatory approach to zoning. 4.     Increased Enforcement👮: Additional funding💰 and staffing for the Department of Buildings🏢 will enhance the enforcement of new zoning rules, ensuring compliance and addressing issues proactively. Overall, these changes represent a shift in zoning policies aimed at fostering economic opportunities💼 while maintaining a high quality of life🏙️ and addressing specific community and environmental concerns🌍. You can read the full document here: CITY OF YES: ZONING FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL MODIFICATIONS AND COMMITMENTS: https://lnkd.in/gs-eT_Fn #nycrealestate #nycconstruction #midtownmanhattan #conversion #renovation Gotham Building

“Paper Son is part of an initiative to help San Francisco return to the days before it became a devastating example of what could go wrong with U.S. cities during the pandemic. The company was chosen to participate in Vacant to Vibrant, a program initiated last year by the city’s mayor, London Breed, to fill empty space downtown, which largely makes up several blocks straddling Market Street in the Financial District and South of Market neighborhoods. Downtown San Francisco has the highest concentration of vacant storefronts in the city. “Retail rents have historically been very high in the Financial District,” said Santino DeRose, a principal at Maven Commercial, a real estate brokerage with offices in San Francisco and Chicago. “But now these businesses have the ability to get their feet wet and determine whether their concepts are viable in those locations.” Under the program, city and business leaders provide free rent for up to six months, as well as other funding for business expenses and incentives like technical and business permit assistance, to entrepreneurs who want to set up shop in empty spaces, many of which are on the ground floor of office buildings. The hope is that these pop-up operations will pay rent and sign longer leases after the free-rent period is over, and that their presence will regenerate foot traffic in the area. Some 850 entrepreneurs initially applied for a slot, and 17 businesses were chosen to occupy nine storefront spaces last fall. Out of those businesses, seven extended their leases and now pay rent. Eleven businesses were selected in May for the program’s second cohort, which started operating their storefronts this summer.” https://lnkd.in/eHaHs7fn

Why are so many elected officials afraid to let business owners make their own decisions about how much parking they need to be successful? On Monday the Newton City Council came thisclose to killing a proposed zoning change that would allow business incubators, maker spaces, and places of amusement to open by-right in the city’s village centers without the onerous parking mandates that can make opening a business in Newton frustrating, expensive and sometimes impossible. “We need to protect the villages, not so much the businesses,” said Councilor Tarik Lucas, who seemed to momentarily forget that businesses are the lifeblood of our villages. The parking mandate debate isn’t new, or limited to Newton. Mandate-supporting councilors professed Monday that they want to help small businesses. But their actions suggest they believe they know what business owners need more than owners do. The fact is businesses aren’t going to sign a lease if the property doesn’t have the parking it needs for its employees and customers. Developers won’t build projects that don’t have the parking needed to be leased. Investors aren’t going to underwrite developments they don’t believe can be successful. And not every business has the same parking needs. So what makes a handful of bureaucrats think they know better? “I don’t think we ought to be in the business of requiring businesses to build parking, or requiring businesses to have parking,” said Councilor Josh Krintzman, who has long advocated for eliminating parking minimums. “Let's see if we can make it easier for businesses to open up, especially in our village centers where this is really a hurdle that causes significant frustration and delays for many of our small businesses to open,” added Councilor Martha Bixby who also supported the change. Krintzman, Bixby and a few of their colleagues aside, the zoning change didn’t have the 16 votes needed to pass. Sensing that, Councilor Susan Albright used a parliamentary move to delay a final vote until Aug. 12, buying some time to hopefully change a few of her colleague’s minds. https://lnkd.in/egT_5SuK

New York City just isn’t what it used to be. There--I said it. Anyone have a good umbrella repair shop in NYC? I couldn’t find one either! It’s been over 60 years since we’ve updated our commercial zoning rules. We still have regulations for umbrella repair shops, taxidermy stores, and ship chandlers on the books. (I had to google that last one too.) But it’s not just that... There’s a lot of confusion about what can go where. Did you know that in most NYC local retail corridors: -->  Stores can sell bikes but cannot rent or repair them on-site. -->  Bars can have live music, but not stand-up. (Don’t even think about dancing!) -->  A salon can do your hair, but not your wig. -->   You can open a store to sell your sourdough, but not your hot sauce. The good news--the city has finally figured out it’s time for a change. Read more about why we need it in this article. Some communities have legitimate concerns, and I fully expect that the City Council will temper some of these changes, especially around nightlife and home occupations. So how do you capitalize on this? Give me a call. https://lnkd.in/gk5jxfgX

New York City's post-pandemic recovery is marked by a new job record, yet local retail grapples with an 11.2% storefront vacancy rate, partly due to outdated 1960s zoning laws. Mayor Adams' proposal, the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, aims to revitalize commerce by modernizing regulations. By removing unnecessary restrictions, such as prohibitions on specific businesses in certain areas, the proposal encourages entrepreneurship and fills vacant storefronts. It acknowledges evolving industries, permitting modern businesses for instance escape rooms and virtual reality arcades in commercial zones. Additionally, it tackles overly restrictive rules, such as the ban on reactivating empty storefronts after two years. These changes not only support entrepreneurs but also improve residents' quality of life and contribute to the city's prosperity. Approving this proposal is crucial for combating storefront vacancies and fostering a more vibrant and prosperous New York City. #NYC #EconomicOpportunity #SmallBusiness #ZoningReform #CityofYes #Entrepreneurship #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanRevitalization

Two new zoning designations are poised to enhance development along Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC, with applications set for review by the National Capital Planning Commission this September. - NMU-4/CC1 Zone: This zone will cover much of the commercial corridor, allowing a mix of low-density commercial and moderate-density residential uses—think ground-floor retail with apartments above. - NMU-4/CC2 Zone: Focused on civic sites, this zone supports moderate-density housing alongside community facilities, aligning with the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan. These zoning changes reflect a vibrant vision for a mixed-use community that fosters local economies and enhances neighborhood dynamics. With successful models in areas like Cleveland Park and H Street NE, we’re excited about what lies ahead for Chevy Chase! Let’s keep an eye on these developments: https://lnkd.in/eaZTgubm #mixedusedevelopment #dcrealestate #communitydevelopment