L.L. 2021/166
Enactment date: 12/24/2021
Int. No. 2253-A
By the Speaker (Council Member Johnson) and Council Members Powers, Rivera, Menchaca and Kallos
A Local Law in relation to micro-distribution centers for distributing goods via sustainable modes of transportation
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Micro-Distribution Centers.
a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Bicycle. The term "bicycle" has the same meaning as set forth in section 102 of the vehicle and traffic law or any successor provision.
Bicycle with electric assist. The term "bicycle with electric assist" has the same meaning as set forth in section 102-c of the vehicle and traffic law or any successor provision.
Commercial vehicle. The term "commercial vehicle" has the same meaning as set forth in the rules of the department.
Commercial vehicle operator. The term "commercial vehicle operator" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, municipality, or other legal entity that either on behalf of itself or others, utilizes a commercial vehicle to deliver packages, parcels, papers, or articles of any type.
Department. The term "department" means the department of transportation.
Micro-distribution center. The term "micro-distribution center" means a space or facility designated by the city for the exclusive transfer of goods or delivery of parcels and packages from commercial vehicles to sustainable transportation modes that deliver such parcels and packages to the final point of delivery.
Sustainable modes of transportation. The term "sustainable modes of transportation" means bicycles, bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, electric vehicles, hand trucks and any other modes designated as sustainable by the department.
b. The department shall release a public solicitation to learn about opportunities and challenges to using micro-distribution centers for deliveries in the city. Such solicitation shall include:
1. a request for expressions of interest from companies willing to facilitate, operate, or utilize a micro-distribution center in the city;
2. feedback from respondents on limiting factors for operating and utilizing a micro-distribution center in the city, including but not limited to land use and zoning restrictions, and city rules and regulations; and
3. feedback from respondents on ways to make a micro-distribution center efficient, sustainable, and economically feasible, and on ways to ensure micro-distribution centers are not unreasonably occupied by any single commercial vehicle operator.
c. No later than December 31, 2022, the department shall post on its website, and submit to the speaker of the council and the mayor, a report that includes, at a minimum, the following information:
1. a summary of the feedback received from the freight industry;
2. the challenges and opportunities to creating micro-distribution centers, including legal and zoning restrictions affecting the implementation of micro-distribution centers;
3. recommendations on how the city can encourage and facilitate micro-distribution centers, and the funding that may be required; and
4. the means and methods the city plans to pursue to encourage micro-distribution centers and other similar delivery consolidation activities.
d. Following the submission of the report required by subdivision c of this section, but no later than July 1, 2023, the department shall establish a pilot program to support the creation, operation or expansion of micro-distribution centers in order to reduce emissions and alleviate vehicle congestion on city streets.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.