Synthesized from http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonehis.shtml
1870's and 80's[]
- Residents 'protest loss of light and air as tall residential buildings begin to appear in Manhattan'
Early 1900's[]
- Housing shortages, rush of immigrant populations, industry encroaching on private property
1901[]
Tenement House Act implemented
- Height restrictions on residential buildings as a result of previous protests
1916[]
Zoning Resolution implemented
- Established height and setback controls
- Designated residential areas be separated from other specific industries
1961[]
Old resolution didn't address mass transit, automobiles, and increased use of new technologies. This also reduced the residential density capabilities of NYC, particularly at the edges of the city.
- Parking requirements
- Designated open space opportunities
- Said to have 'sometimes resulted in buildings that overwhelm surroundings'
- Incentive zoning
- Gave extra floor space bonuses for buildings to build public plazas
- Did not always provide public benefit (not always 'useful or attractive')
- Business districts
- High-rise office buildings were allowed large, open floors
Currently[]
Current attitude: flexible. 'Cities never stand still, nor should zoning.'
- Contextual zoning tools
- Preserves character of established neighborhoods'
- Specialized Districts
- Lower Density Growth Management
- Protects from rapid growth in outlying regions that have no access to public transit
- Inclusionary zoning incentives
- To provide for affordable housing
- Retrofitting to provide housing
- Dormant buildings transformed into housing to provide for increased density