Mobilizing the Region

Issue 218 April 30, 1999


NYC Planning: Millennium Or Mid-Century?

Declaring "it is time to adapt zoning to the realities of the automobile," Joe Rose, NYC Dept. of City Planning Chairman, outlined at an April 20th City Hall hearing an overhaul of the city's zoning code that could increase construction of parking in residential and office buildings and push new schools and community facilities out of walkable, transit-served neighborhoods and into manufacturing zones.

Rose's proposals would reverse a 1982 regulation limiting parking spaces in new Manhattan buildings. Rose said the measure failed to reduce driving, citing growth in car ownership and miles driven but ignoring that the limits have held down the rate of increase.

International studies have found the supply of central area parking as the most important determinant of the rate of urban driving and car dependence.

Rose's proposal to permit school construction in manufacturing zones would preserve valuable land for taxable development, but would increase already mounting conflict over truck traffic and street safety.

Zoning changes must be approved by the City Council.


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