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Originally Posted by antinimby
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Manhattan needs more upzonings not downzoning because it is in the best position to absorb the largest number of housing units. It's got the infrastructure and frankly it has the highest demand. Downzoning any part of Manhattan would just spread the unmet housing demand elsewhere in the city and beyond.
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Its slowly happening even in areas that seemingly seem lowrise in nature. Barring Midtown and the highrise nodes, areas such as Harlem, Inwood, Washington Heights for example are seeing zoning increases by allowing developers to add "X" amount of floors to a new development. Example being a neighborhood where the average floor count is 6-8. The increase allows for an extra addition of 4 floors to an existing structure or if a new one is proposed, allowing for a 10-12 floor structure to be built.
It could be seen as a win for preservation groups because it will still keep the charm of low rise neighborhoods, but the change allows for more units and a higher density without building a 50 floor tower which would cause an uproar.
With Manhatten, also keep in mind conversions. Lots of old office buildings are being retrofitted with residential units.
Most of the growth though in terms of raw units is Queens and Brooklyn. Thats a given.
I don't think these groups pose a formidable threat. Sometimes its political, and a politician will side with them if its in his or hers district. But just like the shadow people on 57th, its all hot air.