City Considers Soho Rezoning To Lift Dated Industrial Rules

SOHO, NY — The city is mulling a proposal to rezone Soho and Noho, according to the Department of City Planning.

The agency is spearheading the initiative with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Councilwoman Margaret Chin, who seek to replace dated industrial zoning that restricts ground-floor retail and residential use in the neighborhoods, Crain's New York reported.

Soho is known for its artists lofts and luxury shopping corridor, but the neighborhood's industrial zoning technically does not allow for ground-floor retail and apartments. Such uses have been grandfathered in or granted through special permits, but now the de Blasio administration is looking to change the zoning to allow more as-of-right uses, Crain’s reported.

The Department of City Planning has completed an initial look at the neighborhood's existing conditions and aims to gather public input before a specific proposal is drafted, according to an agency spokesman.

Soho's spacious buildings were originally occupied by manufacturers towards the end of the 19th century, but as manufacturing jobs declined artists began illegally moving into derelict spaces — revitalizing the forsaken buildings. Come 1971, the city legalized the live-work spaces for artists. Then in 1982, the state passed the Loft Law, which allowed certain tenants using space illegally to avoid eviction and apply for protections.

The zoning changes would help property owners cut through red tape, but some residents are not thrilled at the prospect of boosting as-of-right uses in the coveted Manhattan neighborhood.

"Nobody in SoHo wants a zoning change," Sean Sweeney, director of the Soho Alliance, told Crain's. "We're worried that real estate and large retail interests will take over the neighborhood from the pioneers and the newcomers who created the community."

It is unclear if the city would push for additional housing, but the neighborhood's 1973 landmark status would make increasing the area's residential density a challenge.

Brewer and Chin did not immediately return requests for comment.

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