A lawsuit brought by local lawmakers and community groups claims the plan failed to conduct a comprehensive environmental review.

The long-debated City of Yes zoning reform plan, championed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is facing a legal challenge from dozens of local legislators and community groups, according to a New York Post article by Craig McCarthy, Georgett Roberts, and Peter Senzamici.
The lawsuit argues that the administration did not conduct the necessary environmental reviews for the plan, which promotes increased density and transit-oriented development ot boost the city’s housing supply. The plan aims to support the building of 80,000 new housing units over the next 15 years — a number lower than the plan’s original goal.
As the authors explain, “The pro-development City of Yes had three environmental reviews but they were conducted as if City of Yes was three separate initiatives — carbon neutrality, economic opportunity and housing opportunity.” The suit argues that separating the reviews avoided the potential negative results of one comprehensive review.
The plan is primarily opposed by lawmakers and groups from less dense neighborhoods who argue that their infrastructure may not be able to support denser development and larger buildings. “The changes were approved by the council in December on a 31-20 vote after lengthy negotiations, which led to a partially scaled-back plan.”
FULL STORY: Eric Adams’ City of Yes housing plan in crisis after dozens of pols, community groups sue to end initiative

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.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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