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TESTIMONY

Jodi Stein, Land Use Attorney at Sheppard Mullin, on the Proposal for Micro Distribution Facilities

5:04:45

·

120 sec

Jodi Stein testifies in support of the city's proposal for micro distribution facilities, arguing that the proposed size restrictions are too limiting to accommodate essential components.

  • Stein breaks down the square footage needed for charging stations, bathrooms, offices, and maintenance areas, showing the restrictions are insufficient.
  • Calls for increasing the size limits to 5000 square feet in C1 and C2 Districts and allowing the proposed 15,000 square feet in C4-C7 to be on the ground floor.
  • Suggests exempting cargo bike storage and necessary equipment from the zoning floor area limitations as an alternative.
  • Emphasizes the importance of providing adequate space for employee break rooms and additional bathrooms to ensure worker-friendly facilities.
Jodi Stein
5:04:45
Good afternoon, chair council members.
5:04:47
My name is Jody Stein, and I'm a land use attorney with the law firm of Shepherd Mullen in New York City.
5:04:52
We represent developers, landlords, and tenants of distribution facilities throughout the country.
5:04:57
I'm here to testify on the proposal for micro distribution facilities.
5:05:01
I support and applaud the city's proposal for micro distribution facilities.
5:05:05
But as I submitted to the city planning commission, this text amendment unduly restricts the size of these facilities.
5:05:11
As currently drafted, the tech's place is a limitation of 25100 square feet per establishment in C1 and C2 districts and a limitation of 5000 square feet on the ground floor with 10,000 square feet above in C4 through C7 Districts.
5:05:25
I would like to take a moment to explain some of the basic components of a safe, efficient and worker friendly micro distribution facility.
5:05:32
1st, an FDMI battery approved charging station would require a minimum of approximately 1000 square feet.
5:05:40
At least one bathroom with one office, would require approximately 600 square feet, and an area for maintenance and repair of cargo bikes would require approximately 500 square feet.
5:05:51
And let me pause here because those components alone total over 2000 square feet.
5:05:57
And this does not even include a cargo bike storage area, a loading area, or temporary storage of actual packages.
5:06:03
Additionally, this ware footage limitation leaves no room for an employee break room, a training facility room, or additional bathrooms.
5:06:12
For delivery workers.
5:06:17
To that end, I respectfully request that the following modifications be made.
5:06:22
An increase in the size restriction to 5000 square feet in C1 And C2 Districts and to allow for the proposed 15th 1000 square feet in C4 through C7 District to be located entirely on the ground floor or perhaps in the alternative exempting cargo bike storage and necessary ancillary structures or equipment from the zoning floor area limitation.
5:06:43
Thank you so much for your time.
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