Transit accessibility incentives are also included in a package of zoning reforms proposed this week that would provide incentives for grocery store developments in a wider swath of New York City.

Rebecca Baird-Remba reports on a bill proposed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio this week that would expand zoning incentives for grocery stores and transit station accessibility improvements, "allowing developers to get extra floor area in their buildings in exchange for including a supermarket or improving transit."
The grocery store incentives would expand the FRESH program, in place since 2009, to 11 new community districts, reports Baird-Remba.
"FRESH, which is an acronym for Food Retail Expansion to Support Health, allows developers to negotiate an additional 20,000 square feet of residential floor area in a new building in exchange for including a grocery store of at least 20,000 square feet," explains Baird-Remba.
The program has been controversial since its inception for a lack of progress in lower-income neighborhoods in the city.
"The Department of City Planning said that it plans to implement 'guidance' to prevent 'detrimental clustering of FRESH supermarkets' in gentrifying neighborhoods that have seen a significant amount of new residential development over the past decade," adds Baird-Remba. "The city also plans to waive up to 10,000 square feet of parking for a grocery store."
In addition to the grocery store improvements, Mayor de Blasio is also proposing a "Zoning for Accessibility" initiative that would allow developers additional floor area in exchange for funding accessibility improvements at the city's transit stations—a challenge that currently falls well below thresholds of accessibility established by state and federal accessibility laws.
FULL STORY: City Hall Expands Zoning Bonuses for Grocery Stores, Transit Improvements

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie