Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Department of City Planning

East Harlem Rezoning Plan Scraps Parking Minimums to Build More Housing

The Department of City Planning previewed its East Harlem rezoning proposal at Community Board 11 this week [PDF].
The Department of City Planning previewed its East Harlem rezoning proposal at Community Board 11 this week [PDF].
The Department of City Planning previewed its East Harlem rezoning proposal at Community Board 11 this week [PDF].

The Department of City Planning is preparing a major rezoning of East Harlem, and it calls for scrapping parking requirements along most of the avenues in the neighborhood.

Earlier this year, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito released the "East Harlem Neighborhood Plan" [PDF], a set of recommendations developed by her office, Community Board 11, Borough President Gale Brewer, and the grassroots social justice group Community Voices Heard. The plan called for "increased density in select places to create more affordable housing and spaces for jobs” and recommended that "any potential rezoning should eliminate minimum parking requirements."

New York City's minimum parking requirements drive up the cost of housing by requiring developers to build parking spots that otherwise wouldn't get built. This adds to construction costs and constrains the supply of new housing.

On Tuesday, representatives from the Department of City Planning previewed the rezoning at Community Board 11's monthly meeting. All areas that would get upzoned in the plan will also have parking requirements eliminated.

Politico New York reported that parking minimums would be scrapped "along Park Avenue north of 125th Street," but did not mention whether the same would apply to the rest of the area being rezoned, which is bounded by Second Avenue, Park Avenue, 104th Street, and 125th Street.

A spokesperson from the Department of City Planning confirmed that parking minimums would also be eliminated along Lexington Avenue, Second Avenue, and Third Avenue, but that Madison Avenue north of 125th Street, which is not being zoned for higher density, would retain parking requirements.

"The elimination of parking requirements is a part of our growth-oriented approach to the neighborhood study, so we are applying it in areas we are targeting for new transit-oriented development," the spokesperson said.

Community Board 11, Brewer, and the City Planning Commission will weigh in on the rezoning before it goes to a vote in the City Council.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Judge Lets Court Street Bike Lane Live … For Now

Businesses sued too late to stall the redesign, a judge said. But a wider ruling will come as soon as next month.

October 30, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Janno’s Speaking Edition

Local news outlets had a field day after MTA CEO Janno Lieber reiterated his longstanding skepticism of Zohran Mamdani's free buses platform. Plus more news.

October 30, 2025

Decision 2025: Ben Chou Hopes to Unseat Vickie Paladino on Street Safety

Chou, who grew up biking in and around the district, called out his opponent's anti-bike "fear-mongering."

October 30, 2025

Vision Zero Hero! Former FDNY Commish Wants Agency To Join the Safe Streets Fight

Former FDNY Commissioner wants the agency to stop taking a back seat on street safety.

October 30, 2025

Crunching Numbers to Curb Crashes: Using Federal Data to Make Our Roads Safer

Upholding federal data transparency is key to understanding and reversing the alarming level of crashes, fatalities, and strained infrastructure. Here's where we have more work to do.

October 30, 2025

After Dismissing Streetsblog’s Reporting, FDNY Simplifies Rules for E-Bike Charging Stations … That Streetsblog Exposed

The FDNY changed its guidelines in the middle of a City Council hearing where it faced questions about delays to the program.

October 29, 2025
See all posts