A Look at Midtown South Math
Chair of Herrick's Land Use and Zoning practice, Mitchell Korbey, was quoted in The Real Deal - Daily Dirt discussing how the City Council Committee on Land Use approved a massive rezoning plan to build over 9,500 homes in Midtown South, clearing the way for a full Council vote. City Council carved out some midblock properties in the Garment District and reduced residential density allowed in the southeast portion of the rezoning in a nod to the manufacturers still operating in the neighborhood. The changes reduced housing projections by 140-ish units.
"This area has long since ceased to include any meaningful manufacturing activity, let alone garment factories or assembly," Mitch noted. "The Planning Commission saw this and appropriately called for a rezoning — we should trust and abide by the thoughtful and careful planning work done by the experts. Maintaining manufacturing zoning where no manufacturing jobs or activity exists is not sound planning — it simply will keep vacant or under-utilized buildings that could have a new and vibrant life as apartments and affordable housing."