Q&A
Developer decision-making and concerns about non-residential development
4:01:48
·
133 sec
Council Member Dinowitz raises concerns about developers choosing to build non-residential structures like charter schools and shelters in residential zones, questioning the effectiveness of current zoning in promoting housing development. Chair Garodnick acknowledges the evolving nature of the city and the need for flexible rules.
- Dinowitz points out that developers ultimately decide what to build within zoning constraints
- Discussion on the development of non-residential structures in residential zones
- Garodnick emphasizes the need for flexibility in zoning while respecting community needs
Eric Dinowitz
4:01:48
me but let's talk about that because I'm hearing this sort of argument that will only a certain number of community board community boards or in certain council districts.
4:01:57
But ultimately, I'm not a developer.
4:02:00
Ultimately, the community boards aren't developers.
4:02:04
And when we're talking about as of right development.
4:02:07
Ultimately, a developer decides whether or not to build somewhere.
4:02:13
Is that is that fair?
4:02:14
Is that accurate?
Daniel Garodnick
4:02:15
It is fair, consistent with zoning.
4:02:17
It would be a matter of as of right development, if the zoning allows for it.
4:02:22
That's correct.
Eric Dinowitz
4:02:23
Right.
4:02:23
So so I guess part of the question is if we have areas in New York City that are underdeveloped, couldn't a developer come in right now buy up the property, buy up the houses, whatever it is, and redevelop it, thus creating more housing under our current zoning.
Daniel Garodnick
4:02:40
They could, in those circumstances, and important to note, where they have not, it is a strong indication that we need to create more opportunity to be able to allow more housing because what we're doing right now is not working for us, as I said.
Eric Dinowitz
4:02:55
Well, so we have certain incentives, let's say, to build affordable housing because I also wanna talk about what gets built there.
4:03:01
And so we do have areas that are underdeveloped that could be built, and then there could be incentives.
4:03:07
And we have those when it comes to affordable housing.
4:03:10
But what we also have is, let's say, in my district, we have an R6 where there are single family homes.
4:03:17
And they're being demolished, not necessarily to build housing, but to build things like charter schools and shelters.
4:03:25
And so what efforts is the city making or what is in the zoning proposal to ensure that in our zoning, in our residential neighborhoods, we're actually building housing, and not more shelters, that we're building housing, and not more charter schools, if that's what our city needs.
Daniel Garodnick
4:03:44
Well, New York City is not a static place.
4:03:46
It is constantly changing and evolving, and thank goodness for that.
4:03:51
We need to make sure that our rules are respectful of communities like yours and and everybody else is here.
4:03:57
But we also want to be able to create enough flexibility to allow change to happen.
