Commission seeks clarification after planning board's parking formula change in Manhattan Development Code

Commissioners on May 20 asked city staff to clarify a parking calculation in proposed changes to the Manhattan Development Code after the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board approved the text with a caveat.

Commissioner Adamczyk asked why the commission was being asked to override the planning board’s recommendation on an amendment to the code that affects multifamily parking calculations and referenced an earlier review of the item.

Rachel (last name not provided), the deputy city attorney, explained the board’s rationale: the proposed parking formula produced an anomaly where, beyond a certain size threshold, a larger building would require fewer parking spaces than a smaller one. She said the board members approved the MDC changes presented to them but recognized the parking calculation needed correction and expected staff — specifically the presenter, John Adam — to refine the math rather than delay the full code amendments.

“John Adam, who was presenting the item and the changes acknowledged that that was true, and it needed to be corrected,” Rachel said, summarizing the planning board discussion. She added the board preferred to approve the broader MDC changes that evening and allow staff to return with a corrected formula rather than postpone all amendments.

Commissioners accepted the explanation and asked staff to provide a clearer summary in future agenda information so the commission and public are not confused by similar presentations.