NYC Rezoning Plans Could Create Thousands of New Housing Units

Zoning changes in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Midtown Manhattan would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for light manufacturing.

1 minute read

September 12, 2023, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Person biking at intersection between Atlantic Avenue and Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City

NYC Department of City Planning / Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan to rezone part of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue from light manufacturing to residential, which could allow for the creation of 4,000 new housing units, 1,550 of which would be affordable. 

Jack Rogers reports on the story in Globe St., writing that “The plan envisions a high-density mix of housing and ground-floor commercial space along Atlantic Avenue. For the mid-blocks south of Atlantic Avenue between Grand and Franklin avenues, and north of Atlantic along Herkimer Place, the city is planning to introduce a special incentive to promote mixed-use development.”

Other rezoning proposals from Adams and the city would create up to 20,000 new housing units in Midtown and 6,000 units in the Bronx. “In his second State of the City address at the beginning of the year, Adams also proposed to rezone an area on Staten Island’s North Shore to permit expanded mixed-use development and improved waterfront access.”

Mayor Adams’ ‘City of Yes’ zoning reform plan, announced earlier this year, focuses on reducing barriers for small businesses in the city.

Monday, September 11, 2023 in Globe St.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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