'City of Yes' plan receiving pushback from Bronx community members
Four of the 12 community boards in the Bronx have voted no to the City of Yes – but some say that more businesses near residential areas will help.
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New York City has a new plan to modernize zoning regulations known as the "City of Yes" plan, but Bronx community members are starkly against part of the plan.
The part of the plan that received backlash from residents focuses on zoning changes for business expansion. Bronx residents are worried that it will disrupt their way of life too drastically.
Current zoning laws stop new small stores from opening in residential areas – which the "City of Yes" plan would change, allowing not only those stores to open in residential areas but also allow businesses with three employees to operate out of a home.
“They’re going to disrupt the way we’ve been living,” said Karen Argenti from Protect Bronx Neighborhoods from Overdevelopment. “We don't really want that in the Bronx, and if it goes, we want to know where it’s going… it's going to mess up everyone's life.”
Four of the 12 community boards in the Bronx have voted no to the ":City of Yes" – but some say that more businesses near residential areas will help.
“We need the businesses in the neighborhood, to give employment to the youth that are coming up,” said resident Kofi. Another resident says more businesses will help make the neighborhood better and bring in more money.
The zoning changes are still up for review by the City Council, and they will vote to approve or modify it at the end of May.
