City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Marisa Lago announced that the CPC launched public review for the land use portion of the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan.
The Plan seeks to update zoning for a half-mile stretch of Bay Street to encourage transit-oriented development that could bring at least 1,800 new homes, at least one quarter of them expected to be permanently affordable, and around 1,000 new jobs.
“Imagine the Bay Street Corridor that stretches from St. George to Stapleton as a walkable, vibrant live-work-play community that supports jobs and, for the first time, housing, including affordable housing. As we begin the public review of the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan, we want to hear from Staten Islanders about their vision for an even better North Shore for themselves, their children and grandchildren,” Chair Lago said.
“Developed through extensive community engagement, the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan is focused on creating opportunities for good jobs, space to support new and existing businesses, and affordable homes that will anchor this dynamic community,” New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer said.
The proposal aims to turn this part of Bay Street into a vibrant connector to the town centers of St. George, Tompkinsville and Stapleton.
Through new zoning, the plan will foster a mixed-use downtown environment for the borough. Current zoning prohibits residential development as well as many commercial and retail uses, limiting job growth and opportunity.
Flanked predominately by residential districts, the corridor serves as the principal connection between St. George, Stapleton and the Verrazano Bridge. It is located between two railway stations, and offers access to 20 bus routes.
The Plan seeks to increase the availability and type of housing on Staten Island’s North Shore, and provide for greater stability for existing residents through enhanced preservation and tenant advocacy.
It seeks to spur the creation of an estimated 1,800 mixed-income apartments. Through the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, at least one quarter of those homes are expected to be permanently affordable, without City subsidy.
Public and private investments could create additional and more deeply affordable homes with immediate access to jobs and transit.
In tandem with the land use changes, City agencies are working to address key infrastructure, economic development, workforce and community needs. This approach is consistent with Housing New York principles, which call for investments in neighborhoods where new housing growth is proposed.
HPD also released a Draft Housing Plan, which codifies a set of strategies to maintain and improve existing housing by financing and safeguarding affordability and needed improvements, protect tenants, support homeowners, develop new affordable housing opportunities, and promote safe and healthy housing.
HPD will seek feedback on the plan as part of the public review of the rezoning proposal.
