Lawyers Call for Zoning Changes in NYC

The NYC Bar Association Committee advocates making amendments to the city's the current Zoning Resolution to make the city more sustainable.

1 minute read

December 16, 2011, 9:00 AM PST

By David Zeetser


Reporter for 'This Big City,' Claudia Huerta writes that the New York City Bar Associations call for sustainable amendments is long overdue.

"Since the release of PlaNYC in 2007, the city's overarching sustainability document, "green" stipulations have been added to the Resolution. These include encouraging transit oriented development (TOD), requiring bicycle parking in new buildings and garages, and calling for stricter permeable surface regulations. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn have also put together a Green Codes Task Force to update the Building Codes to include new green sustainable standards and rules."

Since the second official Zoning Resolution in 1961, the main question many professionals are asking is: "What is the future of zoning for New York City?"

"The New York City Bar Association takes a stab at delineating a current issue that zoning has so far not adequately addressed: sustainability. New York City has changed drastically since 1961, and as it continues to change amidst growing concerns for climate change, the Zoning Resolution should change with it."

Thursday, December 15, 2011 in This Big City

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