PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maria Deinnocentiis, President of Utopia Estates Civic Association, on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
9:51:57
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129 sec
Maria Deinnocentiis, representing the Utopia Estates Civic Association in Fresh Meadows Queens, strongly opposes the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. She argues that the plan lacks infrastructure considerations, removes community input, and will not address the real issue of housing affordability in New York City.
- Emphasizes that New York has an affordability crisis, not a housing crisis
- Criticizes the proposal for benefiting developers at the expense of residential neighborhoods
- Calls for a focus on truly affordable housing solutions like Mitchell-Lama housing
Maria Deinnocentiis
9:51:57
Hi.
9:51:57
Good evening.
9:51:59
My name is Maria Dada Chantis, president of the Utah Public Estate Civil Association in Fresh Meadows Queens, an area 6 chair community board aide where I represent over 18,000 residents who live in private homes, garden apartments, coops, and condos in the 23rd and 24 Council districts.
9:52:17
A community is opposed to the city of yes, and the board voted unanimously against it.
9:52:23
New York City is 30 years behind in infrastructure planning.
9:52:27
There is no plan for infrastructure in this proposal and parts of our area of flood regularly.
9:52:33
CHO takes you load processes away from our elected council members and community boards and hands our rights over to developers.
9:52:41
This one size fits all sledgehammer solution destroys residential, contextual zoning communities by allowing ADUs, limited construction, transit oriented construction, but not affordable housing.
9:52:55
We have an affordability crisis in New York City, not a housing crisis.
9:53:00
The city of yes, market rate, and luxury rentals are not the answer.
9:53:04
New York City has lost about 800,000 residents in 6 years.
9:53:08
Working families can't afford rent.
9:53:11
How does a family making under a 100,000 a year before taxes pay 4000 or more a month for an apartment?
9:53:18
The media reports the mayor is under scrutiny.
9:53:20
Voters know that his dictates have sold us out to corporate interests in his own game.
9:53:25
This proposal was created by the mayor to enrich developers.
9:53:29
We need to look at his motives.
9:53:31
Destroying residential queen's neighborhoods is not the right answer.
9:53:35
Many pro speakers or developers or organizations that get funding from the city.
Roberta Gelb
9:53:40
We who vote for you
Maria Deinnocentiis
9:53:42
and who pay taxes are telling you this is not the way.
9:53:45
The city of yes proposal can't be fixed.
9:53:48
Needs to be voted down.
9:53:50
Please focus on finding affordable housing such as the Michalama housing where families pay income based rent.
9:53:57
This vision is needed to focus on Thank
Shaun Abreu
9:53:59
you, Maria.
9:53:59
Doing today's Really appreciate your testimony tonight.
Maria Deinnocentiis
9:54:02
Just saying vote no for the city of yes.
Shaun Abreu
9:54:04
We're now moving to Joseph McAllister.
