NYC Planning Commission Approves ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Faces Challenges in City Council

The New York City Planning Commission approved Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” housing plan on Wednesday, September 25th, aimed at easing the city’s housing crisis by revising zoning laws that have restricted development since the 1960s. The plan, formally known as the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” passed the 13-member panel with a 10-3 vote. However, it still faces significant opposition in the City Council, which must vote on the proposal before it becomes law.

The plan seeks to enable more housing construction by easing restrictions on where and how much developers can build in neighborhoods across New York City. The changes include eliminating off-street parking requirements for new residential buildings, increasing the number of allowable housing units, and permitting small apartment buildings near train stations. Other initiatives would streamline office-to-housing conversions and allow homeowners to add accessory units like basement apartments.

City Planning Commissioner Dan Garodnick, who chairs the commission, advocated for the plan, emphasizing its importance in addressing New York’s growing housing crisis. “We don’t have to live this way,” Garodnick said. “We have the power to update our outdated rules and generate the homes New Yorkers need across the city. That’s what City of Yes for Housing Opportunity will do, allow for a little more housing in every neighborhood to take a big bite out of our housing crisis citywide.”

Despite the panel’s approval, the plan faces stiff opposition from some council members, especially those representing outer-borough areas like Queens and Staten Island. Councilmembers Joann Ariola and Robert Holden of Queens expressed concerns that the rezoning would disrupt the character of low-density neighborhoods and overwhelm local infrastructure. Holden urged that the proposal be put up for a public vote or delayed until the next municipal elections.

Holden said, “The last thing we should be doing is pushing forward a rushed plan that most community boards and countless civic associations oppose.”

Public opinion remains divided. While some council members and community boards oppose the changes, a recent survey of 1,733 city voters showed that 72% of respondents support the plan. Mayor Adams called on the City Council to approve the proposal, framing it as a vital step in creating more affordable housing for New Yorkers. 

Mayor Adams issued a statement on Wednesday after the vote, saying, “I urge councilmembers to join New Yorkers in supporting this proposal and building a future that’s more affordable for working-class families, that provides peace of mind for older adults who want to age in place, and that allows our young people to live comfortably in the greatest city on the globe. That starts with them saying ‘yes’ to this once-in-a-generation housing proposal.”

The plan’s future remains uncertain as it heads to the City Council, where it will face rigorous debate before a final vote.