QUESTION
Are community board and borough president approvals binding for the proposed "city of yes" zoning changes?
1:25:55
·
107 sec
The Department of City Planning director states that community board and borough president approvals are not binding votes for the proposed zoning changes, similar to other land use matters.
- The goal is to allow for opportunities while recognizing that the changes may not be desired or feasible in every neighborhood
- New York City has diverse contexts and needs across different neighborhoods
- Some areas may value an easier process for allowing corner stores, while others may not
- Community boards and borough presidents are included in the process to provide important feedback
Kamillah Hanks
1:25:55
So with that in mind, there are components in the in the proposal where you say the board reviews, community board, borough president approvals.
1:26:04
Are those binding?
1:26:06
Because I think that many people would say yes to the city of yes, if they knew by block or by civic associations, which really are much more involved with the with residential as opposed to our community boards that they have some sort of say in saying, well, we don't want that on on this block.
1:26:30
And if and if that were possible, I think that we may be able to get the city of yes as opposed to the city of no, which is where Staten Island is right now as the bar borough president will tell you.
Dan Garodnick
1:26:45
Thank you.
1:26:46
I appreciate the question.
1:26:47
And you know, it is not a binding vote by a community board or a bureau president, much like no recommendation from a community board or borough president is binding on any of the land use matters that come before them.
1:27:03
And what we wanted to do was we wanted to equate this to the other opportunities and allow for the opportunity while recognizing that this is not something that will either work or people want in every neighborhood, but there are neighborhoods.
1:27:18
To your point, New York City is different.
1:27:20
It's it's got lots of context.
1:27:22
It's got lots of different needs.
1:27:23
There are some neighborhoods that very much could value having an easy process, easier process for a for a corner store.
1:27:31
And just can't.
1:27:33
So that's why we bring in the borough presidents, community boards, and to allow us to get their very, very important feedback.
Kamillah Hanks
1:27:40
Thank you so much, and thank you, chair.