New York Note – Traffic Mobility Review Board, City of Yes, Outdoor Dining

August 21, 2023

Traffic Mobility Review Board

The Traffic Mobility Review Board held their second meeting last Thursday. They discussed a variety of possible exemptions, including “cross credits” for drivers who paid bridge or tunnel tolls, discounts for overnight trips, and exemptions for taxis and for-hire vehicles. MTA officials emphasized that “every recommendation about what to charge is connected to every other recommendation”, and that every exemption will increase the base toll for all drivers.

“City of Yes” Office to Housing Conversion

NYC Department of City Planning announced the next steps in the “City of Yes” plan. The proposal for office conversions will begin public engagement this fall and formally referred in early 2024. The administration will be launching an Office Conversion Accelerator, designed to expedite office-to-housing projects. They also formally kicked off a community planning process to update zoning rules in Midtown South.

Outdoor Dining Program Approved by Mayor

Mayor Adams signed a bill permanently expanding outdoor dining, following the temporary program established in the pandemic. “Dining Out NYC” is now the largest outdoor dining program in the country. Outdoor dining will now be available year-round on the sidewalk and in the roadway between April and November. DOT will be developing rules to establish design and operational guidelines, and the rules will enter public review in Fall 2023.

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