Paul Graziano, urban planner and land use consultant, on opposition to City of Yes and potential impacts on community density
3:41:52
·
177 sec
Paul Graziano, representing over 200 organizations opposing the City of Yes initiative, presents arguments against the proposed zoning changes. He argues that the current zoning can accommodate population growth, and that the new plan would lead to excessive density increases in various communities.
- Cites statistics comparing current population and housing units to 1960 levels
- Claims the proposed zoning could accommodate a population of 50+ million, far exceeding current needs
- Provides an example of how the changes could drastically increase density in his single-family zoned neighborhood
- Warns of 'apocalyptic' consequences for low, middle, and some high-density communities if the plan moves forward
- The city's population is similar to 1960 levels, with recent population loss not accounted for in the plan
- There are 800,000 more housing units now than in 1960
- Current zoning can accommodate 16-20 million people if built to maximum potential
- The proposed zoning could accommodate over 50 million people
- The plan will devastate low, middle, and high-density communities
- Single-family zoning will be eliminated, converting to two-family baseline
- Potential for significant density increase in low-density areas
- Claims the plan is not 'gentle density' but 'apocalyptic' for communities
- Represents over 200 organizations opposing the City of Yes initiative
[EXPERIMENTAL]
Which elements of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity were discussed in this testimony?
- ADU
- Transit-Oriented Development
The following are AI-extracted quotes and reasoning about which elements of the proposal were discussed in this testimony.
This is a quick, close approximation. Occasionally, the connection between a testimony's transcript and specific elements of City Planning's proposal is tenuous.
Read about this AI-generated analysis here.
ADU
"And then an ADU may or may not be allowed based on the possibilities, but let's say half of those other units on the block. Convert to 2 family from one family, and then some of them also have ADUs."
This quote directly mentions ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and discusses the possibility of their implementation in the context of the proposed zoning changes. The speaker is using this as an example of how the proposal could impact density in low-density communities.
Transit-Oriented Development
"I live in a single family zone, in a transit zone. I have 20 homes on my block. Most of them are 50 by a 100 or larger, which is typical. If 2 of those houses are purchased at 50 by a 100 and they're within a 100 feet of a corner and those two parcels are eligible for an apartment building, they'll whoever buys those 2 parcels will be able to build a 20 unit apartment building up to 20 units just on that property alone."
This quote discusses the potential impact of the proposal on areas near transit ("transit zone"). The speaker is describing how the proposal could allow for increased density and apartment buildings in areas currently zoned for single-family homes, which aligns with the Transit-Oriented Development element of the City of Yes For Housing Opportunity proposal.
About this analysis:
This analysis is done by AI that reasons whether or not a quote from the testimony discusses a particular element of the proposal.
All the prompts and data are open and available on Github.
You can search for testimonies that mentioned a specific element in the table on the main meeting page.
When an element is explicitly stated in the testimony (e.g. "Universal Affordability Preference" or "UAP"), the analysis is accurate.
But the connection between a quote from the testimony and an element of the proposal is sometimes implicit.
In these cases, the AI might eagerly label a testimony as discussing a proposal when the connection is tenuous, or it might omit it entirely.
Follow-up discussion/remarks
Chair Garodnick corrects record and addresses misconceptions about City of Yes proposal
3:44:50
·
179 sec
Chair Dan Garodnick of the City Planning Commission responds to Paul Graziano's testimony, addressing several claims and providing clarifications about the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. He emphasizes the importance of accurate information for a fact-based discussion on the proposal's merits.
- Garodnick refutes claims about population trends, noting that NYC reached a record high population in 2020 and is returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- He explains that the concept of 'zone capacity' does not mean all available space will be developed, countering arguments about existing zoning adequacy.
- Garodnick clarifies that the proposal does not entirely eliminate single-family zoning, contrary to assertions made in the testimony.
- The city's population is similar to 1960 levels, with recent population loss not accounted for in the plan
- There are 800,000 more housing units now than in 1960
- Current zoning can accommodate 16-20 million people if built to maximum potential
- The proposed zoning could accommodate over 50 million people
- The plan will devastate low, middle, and high-density communities
- Single-family zoning will be eliminated, converting to two-family baseline
- Potential for significant density increase in low-density areas
- Claims the plan is not 'gentle density' but 'apocalyptic' for communities
- Represents over 200 organizations opposing the City of Yes initiative
[EXPERIMENTAL]
Which elements of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity were discussed in this testimony?
- ADU
- Transit-Oriented Development
The following are AI-extracted quotes and reasoning about which elements of the proposal were discussed in this testimony.
This is a quick, close approximation. Occasionally, the connection between a testimony's transcript and specific elements of City Planning's proposal is tenuous.
Read about this AI-generated analysis here.
ADU
"And then an ADU may or may not be allowed based on the possibilities, but let's say half of those other units on the block. Convert to 2 family from one family, and then some of them also have ADUs."
This quote directly mentions ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and discusses the possibility of their implementation in the context of the proposed zoning changes. The speaker is using this as an example of how the proposal could impact density in low-density communities.
Transit-Oriented Development
"I live in a single family zone, in a transit zone. I have 20 homes on my block. Most of them are 50 by a 100 or larger, which is typical. If 2 of those houses are purchased at 50 by a 100 and they're within a 100 feet of a corner and those two parcels are eligible for an apartment building, they'll whoever buys those 2 parcels will be able to build a 20 unit apartment building up to 20 units just on that property alone."
This quote discusses the potential impact of the proposal on areas near transit ("transit zone"). The speaker is describing how the proposal could allow for increased density and apartment buildings in areas currently zoned for single-family homes, which aligns with the Transit-Oriented Development element of the City of Yes For Housing Opportunity proposal.
About this analysis:
This analysis is done by AI that reasons whether or not a quote from the testimony discusses a particular element of the proposal.
All the prompts and data are open and available on Github.
You can search for testimonies that mentioned a specific element in the table on the main meeting page.
When an element is explicitly stated in the testimony (e.g. "Universal Affordability Preference" or "UAP"), the analysis is accurate.
But the connection between a quote from the testimony and an element of the proposal is sometimes implicit.
In these cases, the AI might eagerly label a testimony as discussing a proposal when the connection is tenuous, or it might omit it entirely.