PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Renee DeSantis, Trustee of Community First Development Coalition
2:53:29
·
137 sec
Renee DeSantis, a 32-year resident of Independence Plaza in Tribeca and trustee of the Community First Development Coalition, urges the council to vote against the City of Yes proposal in its current form. She argues that the proposal lacks mandates for permanently affordable housing and reduces public oversight on development projects.
- DeSantis highlights that the "additional housing" promoted by City of Yes often results in luxury towers with expensive units, not affordable housing.
- She expresses concern about the reduction of ULURP reviews, citing a planned 900-foot tower next to her home as an example of unchecked development.
- DeSantis shares the history of Independence Plaza, formerly a Mitchell-Lama housing complex, which has seen a depletion of affordable units since leaving the program in 2004.
Renee DeSantis
2:53:29
My name is Renee DeSantis.
2:53:31
I have lived in Independence Plaza or IPN in Tribeca for 32 years, and I'm a trustee of the community first development coalition, a nonprofit recently established to advocate and educate on thoughtful development in Tribeca and to address unchecked, over scale development, and inadequate opportunities for affordable housing in our community.
2:53:54
I urge you to vote no to the city of yes in its current form for 2 key reasons.
2:54:02
First and most importantly, this proposal does not include any mandates for adding permanently affordable housing And when you hear about all of the, quote, additional housing potentially being built under city of yes.
2:54:18
In my community, this housing typically means luxury towers filled with large expensive units.
2:54:27
Completely out of reach for the vast majority of New Yorkers, not affordable housing units.
2:54:34
This is the case for the megatower planned to be built next to my home.
2:54:39
2nd, the city of yes will make even more development, quote, as of right and quote, allowing for increased developments without oversight, review, or public accountability.
2:54:51
Under city of yes, fewer projects will be subject to Euler.
2:54:55
This too is happening with the proposed 900 foot tower planned next to the IPN building.
2:55:04
My home in IndipaaS Independence Plaza, note, Plaza was once one of the Mitchelama housing complexes in the city, providing over 1300 affordable apartments to middle and low income New Yorkers.
2:55:20
But after leaving the program in 2004, when the owners left Mitchellama, the number of affordable units were depleted and are now disappearing.
2:55:34
Now, the owners are planning to wedge a 90 story building next to our homes, blocking sunlight, and air.
Kevin C. Riley
2:55:43
Thank you so much, Mister Sundance.
Renee DeSantis
2:55:45
To city of yes.
