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Concerns about changes to single-family zoning and introduction of ADUs

2:13:05

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Council Member Salamanca raises concerns about changes to single-family zoning and the introduction of ADUs, noting that only 14% of NYC is currently zoned for single-family homes. Chair Garodnick explains the expected impact and addresses concerns about neighborhood changes.

DCP expects only about 5% of 1 and 2 family homeowners to take advantage of ADU opportunities
ADUs are limited to 800 square feet and tend to blend into existing streetscapes
Parking concerns are addressed by noting that many ADU residents are likely already living in the primary residence or are less likely to drive

Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

2:13:05

Alright.

2:13:06

Going back to Mister chair there in terms of single family zoning.

2:13:11

So in many cities where ADUs and multifamily development have been newly allowed such as Seattle, Minneapolis, most of the cities consist of single family zoning.

2:13:23

Yet in New York City, only 14% of the city is currently zoned for a single family home.

2:13:29

Many residents in these areas moved there specifically because they wanted to live in a low density area with gardens, yards, and trees.

2:13:39

Now, the city planning consider how relatively few and small New York City single family zoneings areas are when designing this proposal.

2:13:52

Yes.

2:13:52

Okay.

2:13:53

And the city planning, DCP have a breakdown of how many of the projected units from the proposal would be in single family R1 and R2 areas versus 2 family or low density multifamily zones.

Daniel Garodnick

2:14:07

Likely yes, I do not have it in front of me.

2:14:10

The short answer is we expect about 5% of 1 and 2 family homeowners, home lots to take advantage of it.

2:14:19

But if you're looking for a breakdown of 1 versus 2, I'll ask my team if they have it immediately accessible, and I'll give it to you within minutes.

2:14:26

If not, I'll follow-up.

Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

2:14:27

That's fair.

2:14:27

Thank you.

2:14:28

How does DCP response to residents who feel they're adding ADUs changes their neighborhood by making parking more difficult and reducing the privacy of neighboring yards.

Daniel Garodnick

2:14:39

Well, I would point them to 1, the fact that we only expect 5% of homeowners to take advantage of this.

2:14:48

That is what we saw in our own study.

2:14:50

It is also consistent with what has happened in other parts of the country.

2:14:57

So if you consider the 560,000 eligible sites, 530,000 of them will not take advantage of this.

2:15:08

ADUs tend to blend into their surrounding streetscape since they would be limited to 800 square feet.

2:15:15

They take the form of the sorts of structures that are already there frequently like backyard cottages or attached in law suites, basement apartments, attic conversions.

2:15:27

Many of that stuff is buildings that already exist.

2:15:31

As it relates to parking, you know, many would be residents of ADUs or either already living in the primary residence, in which case their cars are already there in the neighborhood if they have one, or as we have seen with ADUs and other places.

2:15:46

They're less likely to drive it all.

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