Press Releases

For Immediate Release
July 5, 2023

Contacts:
Casey Berkovitz, Joe Marvilli, Gavi Wind (Communications intern) – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

NEW YORK – Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick today announced a second public information session exclusively on Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity initiative, which is a set of zoning changes to develop lively commercial corridors, to help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive, and to support New York City’s economic recovery. This info session, which will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 pm, will give New Yorkers another opportunity to ask questions and learn more about this proposal. RSVP here.

“New York City’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and vibrant commercial corridors make this city special, but existing zoning rules have limited their success. As we craft City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, I hope New Yorkers will get involved in our early outreach to help shape this proposal and support our work for a more vibrant, prosperous city. Please join us at this session to get involved and learn more,” said Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning Director and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity consists of 18 specific reforms that aim to support small businesses, to reoccupy vacant storefronts, and to enliven commercial corridors. As part of New York City’s ongoing work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Yes for Economic Opportunity will make it easier for New Yorkers to start or expand successful businesses. This will lead to prosperous neighborhoods with less commercial vacancies and more freedom for thriving mom-and-pops to grow.

Other changes include removing zoning restrictions that limit dancing in certain commercial areas, facilitating the growth of the life sciences sector, and allowing for clean manufacturing in commercial areas – opening up 14,000 acres of new potential space for businesses like ceramic makers or coffee roasteries. These changes will also enable the addition of corner stores in neighborhoods where they were previously restricted, helping over 250,000 people access neighborhood goods and services. For a full description of the initiative, read more here.

The formal public review process will begin with the initiative’s referral this fall. Following referral, all 59 Community Boards and all five Borough Boards and Borough Presidents will have an opportunity to review and offer recommendations on this citywide text amendment. Next, it will go before the City Planning Commission for a public hearing and a vote. If the Commission votes in favor of the application, it would then head to the City Council for a public hearing and vote.

City of Yes for Economic Opportunity is the second of three expansive mayoral “City of Yes” initiatives for a more inclusive and equitable city. The other two proposals are:

City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality – currently in public review, this initiative is designed to help New York City meet its ambitious goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 by updating its zoning to make it easier to green our buildings, our streets, and our city.

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity – an inclusive, citywide approach to our City’s housing crisis that aims to expand and diversify the housing supply, and ensure that every neighborhood does its part to help meet housing needs and provide equitable access to housing for all New Yorkers. This proposal is expected to start public review next spring.

For any questions on City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, please email EconomicOpportunity@planning.nyc.gov.

Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.