New Zoning Incentives for Grocery Store Developments Proposed in New York City

Transit accessibility incentives are also included in a package of zoning reforms proposed this week that would provide incentives for grocery store developments in a wider swath of New York City.

2 minute read

March 11, 2021, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

nyker / Shutterstock

Rebecca Baird-Remba reports on a bill proposed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio this week that would expand zoning incentives for grocery stores and transit station accessibility improvements, "allowing developers to get extra floor area in their buildings in exchange for including a supermarket or improving transit."

The grocery store incentives would expand the FRESH program, in place since 2009, to 11 new community districts, reports Baird-Remba.

"FRESH, which is an acronym for Food Retail Expansion to Support Health, allows developers to negotiate an additional 20,000 square feet of residential floor area in a new building in exchange for including a grocery store of at least 20,000 square feet," explains Baird-Remba.

The program has been controversial since its inception for a lack of progress in lower-income neighborhoods in the city.

"The Department of City Planning said that it plans to implement 'guidance' to prevent 'detrimental clustering of FRESH supermarkets' in gentrifying neighborhoods that have seen a significant amount of new residential development over the past decade," adds Baird-Remba. "The city also plans to waive up to 10,000 square feet of parking for a grocery store."

In addition to the grocery store improvements, Mayor de Blasio is also proposing a "Zoning for Accessibility" initiative that would allow developers additional floor area in exchange for funding accessibility improvements at the city's transit stations—a challenge that currently falls well below thresholds of accessibility established by state and federal accessibility laws.

FULL STORY: City Hall Expands Zoning Bonuses for Grocery Stores, Transit Improvements

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in Commercial Observer

Community / Economic Development Land Use Transportation Urban Development New York New York City Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) Zoning for Accessibility Zoning Incentives Zoning Codes Zoning Reform Planning Reform Accessibility access to transit Grocery Stores Public Health Americans with Disabilities Act New York City Department of City Planning Mixed-Use Development View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.