A local labor organization wanted larger hotels to help workers create unions, so they sought a zoning change to make it harder to develop smaller hotels in light manufacturing zones.

"The M1 Hotel Text Amendment adopted by City Council last December, which requires a special permit for the construction of hotels in most light manufacturing zones, was widely expected to have a chilling effect on hotel development in New York City," reports Kevin Sun.
"An analysis by the The Real Deal of Department of Buildings filings for new hotels has found that while developers are continuing to plan larger hotel projects at a rate comparable to historical levels, new plans for smaller hotels have suddenly become rare."
Less than rare, in fact—in the beginning of 2019, new hotel developments with fewer than 70 rooms were completely non-existent. On June 13, a developer broke the streak by submitting plans for "a 61-key, six-story hotel at 3294 Atlantic Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn," according to Sun.
Before the zoning change went into effect, a spate of development proposals were submitted—the fruits of which are still under construction around the city. Meanwhile development of larger hotels has continued at a steady clip, before and after the change.
According to Sun, the effect is exactly what the union behind the M1 Hotel Text Amendment, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, expected.
FULL STORY: Go big or go home? Why small hotel development in NYC may be a thing of the past

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary
Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service