Open Plans Launches New Microsite on Campaign to Lift Parking Mandates
NEW YORK – Open Plans, along with its partners, today launched a new microsite dedicated to teaching New Yorkers why eliminating mandatory parking minimums from New York City’s Zoning Resolution is critical for the city’s continued growth and improvement. The site is a one-stop shop for New Yorkers looking to understand why this initiative is so important and what the stakes—and opportunities—are.
Joined by a coalition of livable streets, housing, and climate groups, the site is part of Open Plans’ ramped-up efforts to ensure that the removal of parking minimums proposed by Mayor Eric Adams is approved and not abandoned or watered down. With a green light from the Department of City Planning, the New York City Council and the Adams administration, we can set the five boroughs on a path to making significant progress on many of our city’s key challenges.
“Policymakers have many difficult decisions to make on housing and transportation, but completely getting rid of parking mandates is a no-brainer,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. “Leaving the obsolete rule in the rearview mirror would remove a key barrier to getting where we need to go on many issues, including housing affordability, climate justice, and street safety.”
What are parking mandates and what has been proposed?
Parking mandates—also known as parking requirements or mandatory parking minimums—are regulations in the city’s Zoning Resolution that require a certain amount of off-street parking to be built in new apartment buildings or commercial spaces. Regardless of demand, in most of New York City outside Manhattan, city regulations dictate developers to build parking spaces. They have been part of the city’s zoning code for decades and haven’t been reformed in a comprehensive fashion since 1961, when John F. Kennedy was president. Parking mandates cause car-clogged streets, more pollution, and fewer and more expensive apartments.
As part of the Adams administration's “City of Yes” zoning proposal, Mayor Adams in September proposed that developers no longer be legally obligated to include parking spaces in new residential buildings. But before it can be finalized, it must go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, scheduled to begin this coming spring. During this process, all 59 community boards, the City Planning Commission, the five borough presidents and the City Council will weigh in, before a final vote in fall 2024.
Who is part of the coalition?
Many of the city’s top transit, housing and climate groups have signed on to our campaign, including Regional Plan Association, New York State Association for Affordable Housing, Open New York, Riders Alliance, New York League of Conservation Voters, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and StreetsPac.