Image Credit: DCP.
On September 11, 2023, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment. The amendment is the first of the City’s three proposed City of Yes zoning text amendments to pass the City Planning Commission. The City of Yes amendments aim to remove or change outdated parts of the zoning text that hinder the development of housing, economic growth, or the implementation of green technology and infrastructure.
The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment contains 17 changes that modernize the city’s zoning text to help build a renewable energy grid, create greener buildings, support the use of electric vehicles and other micromobility methods, and improve water, compost and recycling regulations. Changes to restrictions on heights and thickness of walls previously limited the possibilities of retrofits, but changes can now allow green retrofits in over 50,000 buildings. The changes allow for the easier installation of energy storage infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations. Green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable pavement can help prevent flooding and divert rainwater, among other changes. For CityLand’s prior coverage, click here.
Twenty-five community boards and the Borough Presidents of Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn voted to support the amendment. The amendment will now go to the City Council for approval.
Dan Garodnick, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning stated, “In the midst of a climate emergency, the City Planning Commission’s vote represents a bold step towards tackling our city’s carbon emissions. City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality will create a more energy-efficient city, one where the sun powers our homes, where cars on our roads are low- or zero-emission, where our air is cleaner, and where composting puts our garbage to work rather than in a landfill. Thanks to the City Planning Commissioners for their support of this important, necessary proposal that will set us on the path to a greener, healthier New York.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)