Council Members, advocates and businesses leveraged Mayor Adams City of Yes proposals to secure decades long fights for industrial businesses
June 6, 2024 (New York, New York) – Today, the M-Zone Coalition celebrates a significant milestone for manufacturing in New York City as the City Council votes to approve the “Zoning for Economic Opportunity – M Districts” text amendment creating three new types of zoning areas specifically tailored to manufacturing needs.
While New York City was once a thriving manufacturing hub, the industry has faced steep decline, mirroring national trends. But when Mayor Adams announced he was going to be introducing a citywide zoning text amendments focused on “Economic Opportunity” – a group of Council Members including Speaker Adams, advocates, and businesses, got to work to engage with the Department of City Planning and administration to include long discussed, hard fought, but never won protections for manufacturing zoning and infrastructure.
Fourteen months of collaborative efforts culminated in the approval of the text amendment today – which notably establishes a “core industrial district” (M3A) which restricts non-industrial uses. This means a pivotal shift towards prioritizing real manufacturing and protecting essential industrial areas by reducing competition with commercial uses like entertainment venues or big box stores, fostering economic growth, especially in areas with access to waterways and railways.
In a last-minute victory, the city also agreed to work on a text amendment to establish a special permit requirement for Last Mile warehouses , aimed at regulating the over-concentration and community impacts of the huge warehouses operated by e-commerce giants like Amazon within city limits.
“Today, as the M-Zone Coalition stands on the precipice of a landmark victory, we reflect on the values of community and collaboration that brought us here,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “At the core of this victory lies a simple yet profound principle: organizing works. These achievements didn’t materialize overnight; and manufacturing businesses and advocates have dedicated decades to this fight. This has been a labor of love and I look forward to the continued work ahead.”
“A strong industrial sector is a crucial part of any equitable economic development strategy for New York City, and the zoning changes made today will help ensure that this sector can continue to grow and thrive, providing good-paying jobs for BIPOC, immigrant, and working class New Yorkers. ANHD is proud of the work we did alongside our members and allies in the Industrial Jobs Coalition and the Council’s M-Zone Coalition to achieve this historic win. We will continue working together to apply these new tools on the ground to ensure a thriving future for our city’s Industrial Business Zones,” said Emily Goldstein, Director of Organizing & Advocacy at the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development.
Our City’s zoning for industrial areas has not been updated since 1961, and these outdated regulations have long hindered industrial growth and our local economy. Today’s passage of the City of Yes Zoning for Economic Opportunity text amendment is an incredibly necessary measure that I am proud to support alongside my colleagues in the City Council. I am especially proud to vote on this zoning text amendment as it includes meaningful manufacturing zone changes that solidifies a core industrial district. Strengthened M-Zones support our local economies and safeguard access to safe and sustainable careers in the industrial sector. When we protect industrial business zones and industrial jobs, we are protecting the working class and our working families,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías.
“Passage of the City of Yes Zoning Text Amendment with meaningful M-Zone changes and a commitment from the Mayor to regulate last mile facilities is historic. Securing these elements will give New Yorkers living near and working within IBZs a shot at more dignified lives and a far greater equitable economic landscape in the years and decades ahead. I’m especially thankful to the advocates and Council Members Gutiérrez and Salamanca Jr. for their hard work. From day one we have rooted this campaign in community voices and I am committed to seeing local folks drive the planning and eventual implementation of these exciting developments,” said Council Member Alexa Aviles.
“The approval of the “Zoning for Economic Opportunity” text amendment, featuring significant M-Zone changes and a commitment to regulate last-mile facilities, marks a historic win for manufacturing businesses. I was proud to be a part of the M-Zone coalition to advocate for zoning tools that protect and enable the growth of NYC’s industrial sector. Local industrial businesses and advocates have long fought for these changes, and I’m thrilled that the value of the industrial sector as a driver of equitable economic development is being recognized. The M-Zone changes provide an opportunity for industrial businesses to grow and create quality job opportunities, a win that will strengthen NYC,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif.
These hard fought wins are supported by the Industrial Development Strategic Plan that the city council passed last year, signaling a comprehensive commitment to revitalizing the manufacturing sector. Local Law 172 of 2023 will require a citywide Industrial Development Strategic Plan to support industrial development, expand and retain industrial businesses and jobs, and ensure coordinated planning for city infrastructure and green energy needs and the efficiency and resiliency of chains for essential goods and services. This plan is required to be completed in 2025 and will also help inform future neighborhood planning and land use actions to apply the new “M” zoning districts created by this text amendment.
You can read more about the amendments here.
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