Bill to Increase Multi-Family FAR Breaks Along Surprising Political Lines in New York

Joe Anuta reports from New York: "Support for a state Senate bill allowing the city to zone for denser apartment buildings is breaking down along geographic lines."

The proposed bill, S6760, would rollback a cap on floor area ratio (FAR) in specific multi-family zones in New York City. In the words of summary text on the New York State Senate website, the bill "amends subdivision 3 of section 26 of the Multiple Dwelling Law to permit the City of New York to replace the floor area ratio (FAR) limit set forth in the Multiple Dwelling Law with limits established in the New York City Zoning Resolution."

The Multiple Dwelling Law currently sets a cap of 12.0 FAR.

"Representatives from within the five boroughs—aside from the Bronx's state Sen. Jeff Klein—voted against the proposal earlier this month, while lawmakers from outside the city were in favor," according to Anuta. The opposition to the law from inside the city comes despite support for the law from Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Regional Plan Association, and the Real Estate Board of New York. Preservation and community groups oppose the bill, however.