Copyright Bayswater Civic Association 2015, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24

Some of the Bayswater Civic Association’s objections:

In addition to the items below, please see the initial discussion on the City of Yes page.

1. The existing policy of not notifying neighbors or the public of changes would be continued. This is unlike Nassau County where a large sign is placed in front of a property requesting a zoning change. Publication in the City Record and notifying the Community Board is inadequate. They should also notify local newspapers (Wave and Rockaway Times).
2. Many of these changes would be “as of right” - no applications would need to be filed.
3. The approval of the city council would not be required for many of these changes.
4. Allow (by City Planning authorization) stores and office commercial development within 100' of a street corner in any residential neighborhood (up to 2500 sf within 100’ of a corner in all residential zones).
5. Home based businesses could occupy 49% of a dwelling unit - restrictions on the type of business would be lifted. Change “home offices” to home based businesses and allow them to occupy a maximum of 25% or 500 sf (whichever is less) under current rules to 49% with no maximum – and up to 3 employees, AND allow any type of business, not just lawyers and doctors offices;
6. Stores that are empty for 2 years lose their commercial zoning under current law - they would remove the restriction.
7. Accessory dwelling units (apartments) would be permitted in 1 and 2 family homes - in the attic, basement, garage, or a new house (up to 800 sf in back yards). Note: one- and two-family zoning constitutes (in total) less than 25% of the residential zoning in New York City.
8. All parking requirements would be removed for all new residential development throughout New York City and reduce parking requirements for commercial and office development. They are aiming for carbon neutrality, but this would have the effect of increasing people driving around in search of a parking space.
9. City Planning wants to create "a little more housing in every neighborhood." They've already created 50% more housing in Far Rockaway and more in Edgemere and Arverne.
10. City Planning wants to "modernize" loading dock rules so that there will be more trucks on the street.
11. City Planning wants to support (dramatically expand) nightlife - so they can locate it in residential neighborhoods?
12. City Planning wants more opportunities for where amusements can locate – probably in residential neighborhoods?
13. City Planning wants undefined, new zoning districts.
14. llow (by BSA, part of City Planning) to authorize commercial development to routinely double in size;
15. Allow up to 15,000 sf of commercial development (by City Planning authorization) on all residential property 1.5 acres or more, including assemblages and properties divided by streets.
16. Create Transit Oriented Development (TODs) zoning, which would allow high density apartment building development on all wide streets (75’+) and corner lots on narrow streets on properties 5,000 sf or larger, including assemblages created specifically for that purpose. This would affect all R1 through R5 zoning and specifically targets the lowest density one- and two-family zoning near transit (as defined by the map provided by the Department of City Planning).
17. Create “Town Center” Zoning Regulations on all Commercial Overlays in R1-R5 zones allowing high density apartment buildings up to 4 stories of residential on top of ground floor retail/commercial.
18. Allow life sciences laboratories and “micro-distribution” businesses to locate on all commercial strips.
19. Allow industrial and manufacturing uses on neighborhood commercial strips.
20. Remove the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) cap which determines how big, tall and dense a building can be and increase it dramatically throughout the city.
21. Reorganize Use Groups from 18 categories to 10, ultimately allowing more uses within our communities in conjunction with #22 below;
22. Reorganizing Commercial Zoning to essentially allow much broader uses in all neighborhood commercial strips.