“City of Yes” Proposal
The “City of Yes” proposal is a massive, unprecedented overhaul of New York City’s zoning regulations focused on increasing the number of apartments in NYC. The legislation is on a fast track in the City Council and it requires fast action, on the part of civic associations and residents, to defeat it. The comprehensive analysis of the impact on Kew Gardens is concerning.
The proposal could seriously change our neighborhood.
The “City of Yes” proposal would impact Kew Gardens by:
1. Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units on all one and two family properties. This means neighbors would be able to build apartments in attics and basements/cellars, convert garages and build new houses up to 800 sf in their backyards. Original properties will not be reassessed to reflect the improvements, meaning that your property taxes would be subsidizing these improvements for others.
3. Eliminating parking requirements for new apartment housing construction further putting pressure on Kew Gardens’ already limited on-street parking.
2. Establishing Transit Oriented Development zoning, which would allow high-density apartment buildings to be built on all wide streets (75’+) and corner lots on narrow streets on properties 5,000 sf or larger, including combining lots specifically for that purpose. This means that multi-family apartment houses could be built on Austin Street, Park Lane, Park Lane South, Kew Gardens Road, Beverly Road, Abingdon Road and 116th Street.
4. Allowing construction of apartment houses over stores on Lefferts Boulevard putting further straining on existing neighborhood infrastructure.