Council advances permanent Neighborhood Centers and Hubs code; directs targeted Northwell hub adjustments and broader review in 2026

Planning staff introduced a draft permanent Neighborhood Centers and Hubs (NCH) mixed-use zoning code on July 8 to replace an interim ordinance adopted earlier this year. The permanent draft code emphasizes mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly site design, commercial ground-floor overlays in select areas and clarified development standards; staff said the draft would allow single-family development and accessory dwelling units within NCH zones where appropriate.

Nevyusha Penakota and Mike Klugston of Planning and Development described public outreach to date — an online open house, walk tours of centers and hubs, and an in-person open house — and said staff and the planning board have adjusted the draft based on feedback. Key concerns raised by neighbors included potential impacts in the Northwell (North Bull) hub where Grandview Street is a dead-end, steep slopes and a stream along the northern edge that constrain access and development feasibility.

Council addressed a staff recommendation to take a broader, citywide approach in 2026 and ultimately approved a two-step direction: (1) return the Northwell/North Bull hub to the planning board for a 2025 amendment to adjust boundaries or standards where warranted, and (2) pursue a comprehensive reanalysis of all centers and hubs in 2026 to evaluate infrastructure readiness, transitions and equity across neighborhoods. The amended motion carried 5–1.

Planning staff said a public hearing on the permanent NCH code is scheduled for July 22, and staff anticipated adopting a permanent code in August that would be consistent with the current comprehensive plan maps. Staff noted that if comprehensive-plan map changes are later adopted (for example during a 2026 review), the zoning code would be updated to reflect those map changes.