Big News on the Zoning Front: City Council Passes ZQA

On 03.22.16, the New York City Council voted to approve the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) proposals with modifications. Since introducing ZQA and MIH, DCP has worked with Council Members, community groups, and professionals to appropriately adapt the plan to specific neighborhood needs. Together, these changes will facilitate the production of necessary affordable housing throughout NYC and encourage better design.

Over the past year, AIANY has provided technical feedback on ZQA, hosted public programs and charrettes on the topic, and publicly supported the proposal. Our previous statements are available here.

Pulse Points

• If your firm has not done so already, become familiar with the requirements of the updated lobbying law and take advantage of the amnesty period currently in effect. Compliance training sessions are held at the City Clerk’s office every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. These sessions are open to anyone who has questions about the lobbying law, the amnesty program, or those who require assistance in filing the application.
• On 03.09.16, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council voted to push the effective date of the updated Energy Code to the end of September 2016. Although AIANY advocated for a start date of 01.01.17, the industry will still have six additional months to learn the new requirements. Consider registering for Urban Green Council’s training on the Commercial and Residential codes.
• The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission launched Discover NYC Landmarks, which is an interactive, online map that allows users to find landmarks throughout the city.
• On 03.14.16, in celebration of Women’s History Month and Pi Day, the NYC Department of Design + Construction hosted the 2016 Introduce a Girl to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Day. Twenty high school students from Queens came together for the event that aimed to promote STEAM-related disciplines to young women.
• Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte and the Women Builders Council held a press conference in Albany to call for the passage of A8700/S06467, legislation that Bichotte introduced to expand New York State’s 30% goal for MWBE.