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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by John Woelfling, Architect specializing in affordable housing

6:10:48

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John Woelfling, an architect specializing in affordable housing, testified in favor of the City of Yes proposal, arguing it is necessary for a more equitable city that can accommodate future generations of New Yorkers. He shared his professional experience with zoning limitations and emphasized the current mismatch between housing supply and demand.

Woelfling has worked on projects limited by FAR, height, and parking requirements, but is also involved in a project in Queens that exceeds current zoning requirements.
He highlighted the overwhelming demand for affordable housing projects when they become available through the housing connect lottery.
As a Brooklyn resident and community board member, Woelfling acknowledged neighbors' concerns but stressed the importance of addressing the city's supply problem comprehensively.

John Woelfling

6:10:48

Good afternoon.

6:10:48

My name is John Wolfling.

6:10:50

I'm here to speak in favor of the city of yes as much needed reform for the future of our city to be more equitable and to make room for the next generation of New Yorkers.

6:11:01

I'm an architect that specializes in affordable housing and data architects.

6:11:05

I work with both for profit and not for profit developers on mixed income and all affordable projects.

6:11:13

Throughout the city.

6:11:14

I've worked on projects that have been limited by FAR, that have been limited by height, and limited by parking requirements.

6:11:21

But I'm also working on a project that is going beyond what the current zoning requires because it's what the developer knows, needs to be done to make this project successful.

6:11:32

This is being built right now in Queens.

6:11:35

My firm has worked a great deal with HPD, and I am very proud of the work that we've done to create all affordable projects within the city.

6:11:43

But every time one of our projects, one of our affordable housing projects goes on to the housing connect lottery, the demand far outstrips the supply.

6:11:53

I am also a Brooklyn resident, I've lived in the same medium density district for the last 25 years.

6:11:59

I've also served in my community board, and I've heard many of my neighbor's concerns about this proposal firsthand.

6:12:08

But I have real problems with the way they frame the issues.

6:12:12

We've seen middle class families leave our city.

6:12:16

That number has been referenced multiple times in today's testimony.

6:12:19

So it's clear to me that we have a supply problem.

6:12:25

City of Yes is a comprehensive proposal that allows each neighborhood to help.

6:12:30

Pulling apart the proposal to exempt high, medium, or low density districts is gonna undermine the effectiveness and it will not allow each community to help solve this problem.

6:12:40

I applaud the council for recognizing the zoning reform.

6:12:43

It's not the only piece to solve this, but a no vote on city of yes will allow the current inequities and current pressures to exist.

6:12:53

Thank you for your time.

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Council Member Riley inquires about housing needs in Northeast Bronx