The Department of City Planning has chosen a side in the so-called Paving Wars by proposing a zoning change that would require planting on 20 to 50 percent of most front yards, thus stopping home owners from coating those spaces with concrete and creating parking spaces. The green front yard contributes to community and quality of life, says planning director Amanda Burden, who believes that paving yards is creating a cement jungle in these beautiful neighborhoods. The proposal will need to get a thumbs-up from the Planning Commission and the City Council in order to become a regulation. We’re not sure about the requirement of 50 percent plant coverage, but we certainly like the gist of the proposal. How ’bout you?

One More Skirmish in the Paving Wars [NY Times]