Insights

De Blasio Pushes Plan to Restrict Hotel Development

August 26, 2019 – Media Mention
Crain's New York Business

Crain's New York Business has reported that "Mayor Bill de Blasio has asked the city’s planning department to draft a proposal outlining how to implement a city-wide special permit for hotel development."

This is the first step in creating a major change to the zoning resolution and, if adopted, hotels will no longer be allowed “as-of-right” and any new hotel development will be required to obtain a Special Permit. Special Permits are subject to the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Process, requiring multiple public hearings, environmental review and a vote of the City Council.

Mitchell Korbey, Chair of Herrick's Land Use & Zoning group is quoted in the article stating, “[i]f the city is actually contemplating a ban on hotels, it would be a devastating blow to our remarkably resilient tourist economy, to the many service industries that are linked to hotels and to multiple neighborhoods. There is no land use rationale and absolutely no zoning or public policy justification for this.”

The article also notes that this proposal comes on the heels of support for the Mayor from the Hotel Trades Council, a hotel union and major contributor of the de Blasio presidential campaign.

For questions on the implications of this proposal, please reach out to Mitch Korbey.