Zoning Proposal For Downtown New City Could Lead To Property Improvements

A proposal to revise zoning in New City would allow residences above businesses along Main Street. Planning Consultant Michael Allen of described the proposal as the second part of the program. 

He presented the town board with an executive summary at Tuesday’s workshop and said he was hopeful the town would refer the proposal to the appropriate town and county agencies for review.  Allen pointed out one of the major effects of the zoning proposal, which establish four zones, would be to enable building of housing above the businesses along the east side of Main Street. He said it would give property owners in the hamlet more flexibility to redevelop. 

Council member Shirley Lasker commented on the proposal.

“I think any viable downtown has residences over stores,” she said  “It gives them an incentive to redevelop their properties.  It has to make economic sense.”

Allen said some other aspects of the proposal would require affordable housing units in larger scale developments and allow property owners to opt out of on-site parking and contribute to a fund for municipal parking.