Last updated on June 8th, 2022 at 03:04 pm
NYC Mayor Eric Adams laid out a plan to use the City’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability. “We are going to turn New York City into a ‘City of Yes’ — yes in my backyard, yes on my block, yes in my neighborhood,” said Mayor Adams. The “City of Yes” plan follows the Mayor’s “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,”
What are the Three Citywide Zoning Text Amendments?
The zoning plan announced on June 2nd includes Three Citywide Zoning Text Amendments that focus on some of the city’s most urgent issues:
- Zoning for Economic Opportunity: Supporting small businesses to accelerate New York City’s economic recovery,
- Zoning for Housing Opportunity: Tackling the ongoing housing shortage and homelessness crisis by creating new and affordable housing,
- Zoning for Zero Carbon: Accelerating transition to renewable Energy to reduce our carbon footprint.
How Can Mayor Adam’s Zoning Plan help NYC Businesses?
By removing obstacles, limitations and creating flexibility, the Mayor’s proposed zoning amendments can make it easier for New York City businesses. The Covid Pandemic hit NYC hard, causing many businesses especially restaurants, bars, and night clubs to shutter their doors forever. Two years later, NYC still has a long way to recovery, hopefully the Mayor’s plan will make it easier for businesses to come back stronger and better.
How Can the Zoning for Economic Opportunity Text Amendment Help Restaurants?
For restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the Zoning for Economic Opportunity Text Amendment can provide owners and operators with changes and opportunities they so desperately need by:
- Removing unnecessary geographic limitations on certain businesses, including life sciences, custom manufacturing, maker-retail, and nightlife.
- Eliminating obstacles for repurposing space, allowing businesses to evolve over time; and
- Creating flexibility for local businesses to expand without relocation
The Zoning Amendment is also a critical step towards amending the zoning resolution that would allow dancing at more restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. While the Cabaret Law was repealed a few years ago it didn’t technically allow dancing. Dancing in commercial establishments is restricted by zoning rules, which were not changed. Andrew Rigie, executive director, New York City Hospitality Alliance, said it best “This is not Footloose, and the city should not be telling businesses their customers can’t dance; rather they should encourage self-expression through dance and support our small businesses, while implementing proper safety protocols and policies at our local venues. We look forward to working with Mayor Adams’ administration, Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, and the City Councill to get our city’s groove back.”
