"City Of Yes" Hearings: Speaker Adams Pushes Homeownership, Brooks-Powers Questions Parking

"New York City’s 51 councilmembers generally agree that the Big Apple has a serious housing problem, but many of them are publicly skeptical of Mayor Eric Adams’ signature plan to address the shortage," reported WNYC's Gothamist on the recent "City of Yes" rezoning hearings at the New York City Council.

"Queens Council member Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Rosedale, Far Rockaway) questioned eliminating parking minimums for new construction throughout the city, rather than in just transit-rich areas. Garodnick said City Planning expects developers in transit deserts to continue to include parking in areas where demand is high," reported The Real Deal. "At the start of the hearing, the City Council Speaker also asked how City of Yes promotes homeownership, an issue that repeatedly came up during the hearing. CPC Chair Garodnick said changes that permit two- to four-stories of housing above businesses in low-density commercial districts and allow three- to five-story apartment buildings near transit would create good building types for condominiums and cooperatives."