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Originally Posted by Gantz
I think we are talking about two different things. Setbacks only exist in NYC in areas with very relaxed zoning, that allows very high FAR. Areas with very strict zoning in NYC have very short squat buildings with no setbacks whatsoever. In majority of NYC, setbacks are not practical precisely due to zoning regulations.
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Not really. Zoning is zoning. It dictates how far a building is set back, the minimum yard space on all sides, the amount of parking, the FAR for the lot, the number of dwelling units permitted, etc. It defines these aspects differently for different zoning areas, but it defines them nevertheless.
For high density areas, zoning creates setbacks partly due to the sky exposure plane issue, and partly due to the maximum amount of dwelling units permitted on a lot.
And you are incorrect in stating that setbacks do not exist in very strict zoning areas (R1 & R2). It depends entirely on what the specific zoning text states for the area. Some restrictive zoning areas require a setback to comply with the "character" of the rest of the houses in the area.
Also, not sure what you mean by the last sentence. Can you explain? Thanks.
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I do not lack imagination either. I just happen to travel to other megacities around the world and see how they build things. Most of your objections about sunlight, mononliths crowing up sidewalks, etc are completely unfounded and demonstrably false. The worst type of urban fabric I encountered is actually masterplanned Le Corbusier tower in the park, NYCHA/commieblock developments and parking podium highrise among nothingness and highways.
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We might just have a difference of opinion on this issue here. I prefer sunlight, and you might not. For me, sunlight is the difference between a warmly lit apartment with southern exposure vs. a rather coldly dim apartment with only northern exposure.