Bisnow’s Post

Well said. The missing middle has been talked about for a long time, but why has there not been a rush for this kind of development? “I believe zoning reform needs to include allowing more housing in existing single-family neighborhoods. However, reforms that only change the number of units allowed on existing lots — rather than employing additional changes like reducing minimum lot size requirements, reducing setback requirements and increasing allowable height — are drawing backlash from residents without proportionate improvements to housing supply and affordability. Instead, policymakers should legalize types of housing that get built in large numbers — such as small-lot single-family houses and large apartment buildings — even if this violates the sensibilities of what I call the “compatibility movement”: A school of architects and urban planners who support allowing new housing in existing neighborhoods, as long as the new construction isn’t in significantly larger buildings. They often support form-based codes that allow for more than one unit of housing in a structure, while still mandating that new construction is of a similar size and appearance to surrounding buildings. Daniel Parolek has been one of the most influential voices of this movement, outlining the approach in his book Missing Middle Housing. He coined the now-common term “missing middle” to refer to a category of housing falling between apartments and single-family houses that’s especially lacking in new construction in the U.S. Examples of missing middle can be found in old neighborhoods that include duplexes and fourplexes mixed in with single-family houses. Missing middle housing can offer construction costs that are lower on a per-square-foot basis than high rises while also providing a less expensive option than lots of the same size with single units.”

Cambridge City Councilors Burhan Azeem and Sumbul Siddiqui have proposed a zoning change that would allow 6 story multifamily buildings citywide by right. This proposal is an effort to address the acute housing shortage in Cambridge and if pass would position Cambridge as a leader in urban housing reform. As it moves through public hearings and council approval, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the tension between growth and neighborhood preservation. #housingreform #zoningreform #cambridge #zoning #housing https://lnkd.in/ecfKNQ9i

New York City is on the verge of a significant zoning overhaul, aiming to address its housing crisis. The City Planning Commission has approved the "City of Yes" for Housing Opportunity proposal, which seeks to relax outdated and restrictive zoning regulations. This move is expected to facilitate the construction of up to 108,850 new housing units over the next 15 years. Key changes include lifting parking mandates, allowing for denser housing near transit and commercial corridors, legalizing accessory dwelling units, and easing office-to-residential conversions. While the proposal faces opposition from some lower-density neighborhoods, it is seen as a crucial step towards increasing housing supply and affordability in the city. READ: https://lnkd.in/eb2NHe_X --- LEARN MORE: www.nyccrea.com FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gqGzQetJ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gCX3yNkw LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ghpstcR8 #NYCCREA #NewYork #CommercialRealEstate #Leased #Sold #DouglasEllimanCommercial #DouglasElliman #DouglasEllimanNewYork #LlorensNakos #Llorens_NYCCREA #AndreasNakosRealtor

The L.A. City Planning Commission has approved a proposal to focus new housing development in areas already zoned for apartments. This step is part of a larger effort to meet state requirements for over 450,000 new homes in the next five years. This decision highlights a tough balancing act: creating housing affordability and meeting city goals while addressing community concerns. The path forward may shape the future of housing in Los Angeles for years to come. A few weeks ago, we shared an innovative new tool aimed at helping construction leaders understand zoning in an easy, and streamlined fashion. This tool has just become more pertinent; check it out here: https://www.urbanform.us/ #LosAngelesConstruction #AffordableHousing #ConstructionIndustry #Zoning #UrbanPlanning

New York City is on the verge of a significant zoning overhaul, aiming to address its housing crisis. The City Planning Commission has approved the "City of Yes" for Housing Opportunity proposal, which seeks to relax outdated and restrictive zoning regulations. This move is expected to facilitate the construction of up to 108,850 new housing units over the next 15 years. Key changes include lifting parking mandates, allowing for denser housing near transit and commercial corridors, legalizing accessory dwelling units, and easing office-to-residential conversions. While the proposal faces opposition from some lower-density neighborhoods, it is seen as a crucial step towards increasing housing supply and affordability in the city. READ: https://lnkd.in/ek9sdwMD --- LEARN MORE: www.nyccrea.com FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://lnkd.in/e9qs9EE8 Instagram: https://lnkd.in/evwNtDzg LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ebAEmNk4 #NYCCREA #NewYork #CommercialRealEstate #Leased #Sold #DouglasEllimanCommercial #DouglasElliman #DouglasEllimanNewYork #LlorensNakos #Llorens_NYCCREA #AndreasNakosRealtor

A significant milestone has been reached in New York City’s quest to address its ongoing housing crisis. A modified version of Mayor Eric Adams’ ambitious City of Yes zoning initiative, officially titled “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” has advanced past key City Council committee votes after intensive negotiations. This landmark plan aims to create 80,000 additional housing units over the next 15 years, reflecting a comprehensive effort to loosen decades-old zoning restrictions that have contributed to the city’s severe housing shortage. The plan’s passage in the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchise (4-3) and the Committee on Land Use (8-2) came after more than five hours of last-minute adjustments. Among the most notable revisions was a compromise on parking mandates, a contentious issue particularly in outer borough neighborhoods reliant on cars. The new framework introduces a three-tiered model for parking requirements that adapts to specific local needs, balancing development with community concerns. Additionally, the plan includes specific carve-outs for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) such as granny flats. Basement and ground-floor units in flood-prone areas will be prohibited to ensure safety while accommodating a broader housing strategy. These revisions highlight the plan’s responsiveness to the city’s diverse neighborhoods and their unique challenges. State funding commitments also played a critical role in moving the plan forward. Governor Kathy Hochul pledged $1 billion from the state budget, bringing total funding to $5 billion, following demands for increased financial support from City Council members. While the plan marks a bold step toward increasing housing availability, it hasn’t come without resistance. Councilmembers from development-averse neighborhoods and several community stakeholders expressed concerns over the speed and scale of the proposed changes. Subcommittee Chair Kevin Riley emphasized the importance of adapting the plan to “the actual built environment of our neighborhoods.” With a full City Council vote scheduled for early next month, City of Yes represents a pivotal opportunity to reshape New York City’s zoning landscape and provide much-needed housing relief for its residents. If successful, this initiative could lay the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient, and livable city for generations to come. #CityOfYes #HousingOpportunity #ZoningReform #AffordableHousing #NYCHousingCrisis #UrbanPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #CityCouncil #NewYorkCity #ZoningForHousing https://lnkd.in/eUEkn-Ty

There's a lot for developers to unpack in the City's newly released 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' proposals. Some of the more notable changes would include allowing developers to build 20% larger buildings as long as the extra density remains affordable and reducing parking requirements for newer developments, among others. City releases detailed 'City of Yes' zoning changes, including taller buildings, less parking and affordable housing | https://lnkd.in/eb52Dy7Y #NYC #Development #RealEstate #CityOfYes

Another great article on zoning reform and its positive impact on affordability! Every incremental step counts in loosening the juggernaut of outdated municipal code. This article highlights two noteworthy aspects: the absence of on-site parking requirements for an apartment building; and, changes to restrictive coding to make the building financially feasible. Denver and other cities have much to learn and gain, especially in downtown areas where vacant lots sit next to towering skyscrapers, with the lots used primarily for parking. What changes to city codes and development incentives are needed to make vacant lots near light rail stations in downtown areas more developable? A thought-provoking article on housing shortages and zoning reform in cities. #zoningreform #affordability #housingshortage #citycodes #realestate #urbanplanning

“The process of getting a rezoning is complex. It’s expensive. It’s time-consuming. One of the most important things we can do as a city to address the housing crisis is to be sure that the as-of-right permissions are in place to allow builders to build housing rather than seek regulatory approvals.” City of Indianapolis - Department of Metropolitan Development - please edit the development standards so #missingmiddle Housing can be built By-Right. Infill housing projects are already challenging enough as is to make pencil out. City of Indianapolis - combat gentrification through housing type diversification! #affordablehousing #gentrification #attainablehousing #zoningreform #realestate #indianapolisrealestate #indianapolis #indianahousing

Last week, the city of Burlington, VT enacted large-scale residential zoning reform. Every residential area in the city has been upzoned — allowing for larger properties with more units. The goal is to fill out the “missing middle” in housing: multi-family homes that were legal to build in the past but then made illegal under subsequent zoning codes. One reason for the reform is because missing-middle housing benefits older citizens. For people in large single-family homes that they can no longer maintain, or which don’t meet their accessibility needs, smaller housing options give them the option to downsize. And building in already-established neighborhoods means the amenities and infrastructure older people need are already available.