Policy Brief: City of Yes Initiatives

On November 2, the ABNY Young Professionals hosted Nilus Klingel, Senior Planner, NYC Department of City Planning where he shared information on the Carbon Neutrality amendment; Matthew Waskiewicz, Associate Planner, NYC Department of City Planning where he discussed the Economic Opportunity amendment; and Sam Levy, Associate Planner for the Department of City Planning Housing Division where he presented on the Housing Opportunity amendment. New York City plans to modernize and update the city’s zoning regulations to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability as part of Mayor Eric Adams’ vision for a more inclusive, equitable “City of Yes.” Making our buildings greener. “City of Carbon Neutrality” will support citywide carbon reduction efforts. The technology and the resources are already here. It's important to speed up installation, make it easier to invest, and show the world what a city of the future looks like. This means changing zoning rules so that they are not hindering eco-friendly building retrofits, the deployment of solar panels, and much more. Supporting small businesses. “City of Economic Opportunity” will allow small businesses to repurpose vacant spaces by removing outdated limitations that keep them from getting filled. This means reforming antiquated rules on where certain businesses can be located; simplifying government rules that contribute to keeping storefronts vacant; and lifting regulations that keep businesses from evolving and expanding. Expanding housing opportunities for everyone. “City of Housing Opportunity” will encourage the creation of more housing in neighborhoods across the city. Many factors contribute to the housing crisis, but one of the biggest is a failure to produce enough new housing to keep up with growing demand. This will be changed by allowing additional housing types, easing conversion rules, and allowing owners of homes and small buildings to alter and update their own property, whether they’re adding a family room or an apartment.