What the ‘City of Yes’ Rezoning Could Mean for Staten Island Homeowners

Recently, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts with the Staten Island Advance about the city’s ambitious “City of Yes” rezoning proposal—a plan that could reshape neighborhoods across New York City, including right here on Staten Island. As a lifelong resident and real estate professional, I believe it’s important for homeowners and community members to understand how these changes might affect our unique borough.

In the article, I emphasized: “The City of Yes and the rezoning that it proposes cannot and should not be one-size-fits-all, especially since Staten Island is such a unique borough. We are mainly a driving community, and do not have a substantial public transportation structure in place.”

Unlike other parts of the city, Staten Island’s suburban feel and reliance on cars make it very different from Manhattan or Brooklyn. The proposal to add more accessory dwelling units and apartment buildings could strain parking and infrastructure, changing the character of our neighborhoods. As I shared, “Adding accessory dwelling units and allowing for more apartment buildings as well, will set the need for more parking spaces creating a more congestive community [and] decreasing the suburban appeal that Staten Island now retains.”

Another concern is our already stressed infrastructure. After Super Storm Sandy, many of our roads, utilities, and public services still haven’t fully recovered. “More construction will only exacerbate the issues our communities are already facing even if the current deficiencies are addressed beforehand. We just can’t handle the volume they’re proposing.”

For homeowners, these changes could impact property values and the overall quality of life. My advice is to stay informed and engaged as these proposals are discussed. Staten Island’s voice matters in this conversation, and together we can advocate for smart, community-focused growth that honors what makes our borough special.

Curious to read more? Check out the full article where I was quoted: Here’s how experts say NYC’s massive rezoning proposal will affect home prices on Staten Island.

Want to know more about the “City of Yes” proposal itself? Explore the official FAQ from the NYC Department of City Planning: City of Yes Housing Opportunity FAQ.