PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Paul Devlin, Co-Chair of Hell's Kitchen Land Use Committee, Manhattan Community Board 4
0:39:11
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127 sec
Paul Devlin, representing Manhattan Community Board 4, presented a pro-housing stance while advocating for contextual reforms to the City of Yes Housing Opportunity proposal. He highlighted the board's success in producing affordable housing and emphasized the importance of preserving special zoning districts.
- Community Board 4 has a district-wide affordable housing plan proposing 41,000 housing units, with nearly 16,000 being affordable.
- The district has the highest housing production in Manhattan and contains the most special zoning districts of any community district.
- Devlin urged the council to recognize that special districts can produce housing while maintaining protections against excessive height and density.
Paul Devlin
0:39:11
Good morning.
0:39:12
Thank you so much.
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My name is Paul Devlin.
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I'm the cochair of the Clinton Hills Kitchen Landers Committee of Manhattan's community about 4.
0:39:18
We submitted thirty four pages of commentary, but I'll limit myself to 2 minutes today.
0:39:23
Hell's Kitchen And Chelsea have been at the forefront of advocating for affordable housing, negotiating negotiating into every proposed rezoning reviewed by a public or private entity.
0:39:33
We are one of the only boards that has a district wide affordable housing plan.
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A plan that was first developed in 2015 and goes through regular updates.
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That plan proposes 41,000 housing units, of which close to 16,000 are affordable units.
0:39:47
In fact, our district has the highest production of housing in all of Manhattan.
0:39:51
Our housing plan would actually produce more housing in our district than is being projected as a result of the city of yes proposal.
0:39:59
We are the only board that has proposed methods for the city to manage the newly lifted 12 f a r cap on residential buildings.
0:40:06
So why is such a pro housing board suggesting revisions to the city of yes housing opportunity?
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Because we urge for more contextual reforms.
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Our district has the greatest number of special zoning districts of any community district in the city.
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It includes special Clinton district, special Midtown district, special government center district, special Hudson Yards district, special west class, Chelsea district, special Hudson Park district.
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These districts cover 75% of our geography, These were designed to foster the historic economic, racial, and ethnic diversity of District 4.
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These special zoning districts have not stopped change, but rather lessened redevelopment impacts while protecting long term residents and strengthening existing residential communities.
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We are requesting that these special zoning districts are allowed to maintain these longstanding protections.
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Given that our geographic area is covered by 75% special zoning districts, yet we are still the top producing district of housing in Manhattan, We are hoping you can find a way to recognize that special districts can produce housing even with protections against height and higher density.
0:41:10
Our district is a working engine of market rate and affordable housing, production tempered with existing preservation.
Kevin C. Riley
0:41:15
Thank you so much for
Paul Devlin
0:41:16
the model we urge you to use.
0:41:17
You for your time.
Kevin C. Riley
0:41:18
Thank you, Paul.
