Choices of Which Neighborhoods to Rezone Questioned in New York City

Questions of mayoral power verses council prerogative were the subject of conversation in New York earlier this month.

1 minute read

March 20, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Bronx

Ajay Tallam / Wikimedia Commons

Controversy over New York's recent series of rezonings flared up in the New York City Council earlier this month, reports Joe Anuta.

"City Council members criticized the de Blasio administration last week for concentrating neighborhood rezonings in low-income, minority neighborhoods—yet the council itself is fueling the trend," according to Anuta.

Anuta explains that the city of New York is underway in a plan to rezone 15 areas of the city. "So far, the administration has completed the task in Brooklyn’s East New York, Far Rockaway in Queens and East Harlem." City Planning Director Marisa Lago told the council in response to their complaints that the rezonings have so far been targeted in neighborhoods "with amenable council members and neighborhoods."

"Absent community interest, it would be an exercise in futility," Lago is quoted in the article as saying.

Anuta references completed rezoning projects in Brooklyn’s East New York, Far Rockaway in Queens and East Harlem, as well as a soon-to-be-approved rezoning on the Jerome Avenue corridor in the Bronx. Two forthcoming rezoning projects will target Long Island City and Gowanus in Brooklyn.

Monday, March 19, 2018 in Crain's New York Business

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

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

1 hour ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business