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NYC Charter Revision Commission
Bronx Public Input Session on Housing and Land Use
Mar 04, 2025
·
05:00 PM
3 hr 2 min
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Summary
A hearing on housing issues and potential charter reforms to address New York City's housing crisis.
Discussions focused on:
- Reforming the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)
- Increasing affordable housing production
- Ensuring equitable distribution of housing across neighborhoods
- Addressing barriers for smaller and minority/women-owned developers
Proposed charter changes included:
- Streamlining approval processes
- Limiting member deference in the City Council
- Empowering the City Planning Commission
- Improving inter-agency coordination
Features testimony from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), housing developers, community advocates, policy experts, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Testimony by Adolfo Carrión Jr., Commissioner of HPD, on housing segregation and the 'Where We Live NYC' plan
Adolfo Carrión Jr., Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), outlines the city's history of housing discrimination and segregation, detailing the 'Where We Live NYC' plan …
0:07:49
•
6 min
HPD discusses its role as a resource and the impact of recent zoning changes
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod asks HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. if the department will offer specific charter revision recommendations to facilitate the 'Where We Live NYC' plan's goals. HPD representatives state …
0:14:38
•
3 min
HPD addresses the relationship between housing supply, affordability, and neighborhood choice
Commissioner Dr. Lisette Nieves questions the theory that increasing overall housing supply alone solves affordability and mobility issues, particularly for low-income New Yorkers. HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. acknowledges the …
0:18:40
•
3 min
HPD discusses developing housing on city-owned land, especially in limited affordability areas
Commissioner Anthony Richardson inquires about HPD's efforts to develop housing on city-owned property, particularly in areas with limited affordability. HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. describes this as a key strategy, …
0:21:53
•
178 sec
Chair Buery emphasizes the value of HPD's perspective on charter reform for housing
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. expresses keen interest in receiving specific charter revision proposals from HPD, highlighting Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr.'s extensive experience across various levels of government involved in …
0:24:51
•
57 sec
Testimony by Marjorie Velasquez, Former City Council Member, on member deference and the challenges of approving affordable housing
Former Bronx City Council Member Marjorie Velasquez shares her experience supporting an affordable housing project in her district, illustrating the intense challenges posed by the current land use review process …
0:26:28
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4 min
Testimony by Kirk Goodrich from Monadnock Development on reforming ULURP to expedite affordable housing
Kirk Goodrich, President of Monadnock Development, testifies about the failures of the current Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), arguing it is too slow, costly, and susceptible to political obstruction, …
0:30:38
•
5 min
Former Council Member Velasquez discusses balancing community input and housing needs in charter reform
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. asks former Council Member Marjorie Velasquez for specific charter reform ideas to balance genuine community input with the urgent need for housing, aiming to prevent …
0:35:40
•
162 sec
Discussing the political feasibility of ULURP reform and the housing emergency
Commissioner Kathryn Wylde questions the political feasibility of charter changes that might reduce the power of community boards or the City Council in land use, given that member deference is …
0:38:26
•
5 min
Kirk Goodrich endorses CHPC recommendations for expedited ULURP
Commissioner Dr. Lisette Nieves requests concrete examples of potential changes to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) or the decision-making process. Kirk Goodrich states his support for the specific …
0:44:29
•
69 sec
Kirk Goodrich explains how ULURP and member deference deter housing development in resistant neighborhoods
Commissioner Leila Bozorg asks developer Kirk Goodrich how the land use process, particularly ULURP and member deference, affects which projects even get proposed, highlighting the hidden opportunity cost. Goodrich explains …
0:45:46
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3 min
Discussing City Planning Commission's role, community board composition, and term limits
Commissioner Shams DaBaron asks for specific charter proposals to mitigate the negative impacts of member deference. Developer Kirk Goodrich again suggests an expedited process centered on City Planning Commission (CPC) …
0:49:15
•
5 min
Kirk Goodrich details the financial and opportunity costs of development delays
Commissioner Anthony Richardson asks developer Kirk Goodrich about the tangible costs associated with delays in the land use review process. Goodrich explains that lengthy processes, like private rezonings, incur significant …
0:54:56
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3 min
Kirk Goodrich on how the current land use process disadvantages M/WBE developers
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. inquires about the specific impact of the costly and time-consuming land use process on minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) developers, who often lack deep …
0:58:32
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100 sec
Testimony by Eric Lane, Executive Director of the 1989 Charter Revision Commission, on the origins and potential fixes for member deference
Eric Lane, who served as Executive Director and Counsel to the 1989 Charter Revision Commission, discusses the origins of the City Council's role in land use approvals and the practice …
1:01:13
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8 min
Testimony by Pascale Leone from the Supportive Housing Network of New York on supportive housing needs and process reforms
Pascale Leone, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, emphasizes the critical need for supportive housing (affordable housing with services) to combat rising homelessness. She criticizes the …
1:09:40
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6 min
Testimony by Craig Gurian from the Anti-Discrimination Center on housing segregation and fair housing remedies
Craig Gurian, Executive Director of the Anti-Discrimination Center, argues that New York City remains deeply segregated residentially, presenting data showing how affordable housing production and public housing are concentrated away …
1:16:21
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6 min
Pascale Leone discusses the financial instability of nonprofit housing developers
Commissioner Valerie White asks Pascale Leone about the financial viability of nonprofit supportive housing developers facing long delays and late city payments. Leone confirms the situation is dire, citing historical …
1:23:07
•
157 sec
Discussing supportive housing services and the demographics of regional poverty
Commissioner Dr. Lisette Nieves asks Pascale Leone about the service model in supportive housing; Leone describes it as evidence-based case management that connects residents to essential community resources, resulting in …
1:25:48
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3 min
Craig Gurian on considering unintended consequences of charter reform while addressing current needs
Commissioner Sharon Greenberger requests that Craig Gurian and Eric Lane (via Zoom) elaborate on potential unintended consequences of their proposed charter reforms, particularly those addressing member deference and accountability. Gurian …
1:29:23
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3 min
Craig Gurian assesses the Fair Housing Framework and compares local control issues
Commissioner Leila Bozorg asks Craig Gurian about the effectiveness of the City Council Speaker's Fair Housing Framework and its comparison to Chicago's aldermanic privilege system. Gurian views the Framework as …
1:32:42
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5 min
Debating the role of City Planning vs. City Council and the legality of potential reforms
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod raises concerns about the legality (potential 'one person, one vote' violations) of making the appointed City Planning Commission (CPC) the final decision-maker on land use actions, especially …
1:38:23
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6 min
Testimony by Sean Campion from the Citizens Budget Commission on streamlining ULURP
Sean Campion of the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) presents findings that NYC's land use process is excessively long and costly, hindering housing production. CBC proposes three main charter revisions to …
1:45:05
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5 min
Testimony by Professor Mitchell Moss from NYU on alternative housing solutions and process changes
Professor Mitchell Moss from NYU argues that blaming only ULURP for stalled housing is incomplete, citing over-zealous landmarking and inflexible zoning as contributing factors. He proposes several charter changes: empowering …
1:50:10
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7 min
Professor Moss clarifies proposal for Borough President review of small housing projects
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. seeks clarification on Professor Mitchell Moss's proposal regarding small housing projects. Moss confirms his idea is for projects of eight units or less in existing …
1:58:06
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92 sec
Comparing Professor Moss's small project proposal to City of Yes provisions
Commissioner Kathryn Wylde questions whether Professor Mitchell Moss's proposal for streamlined approval of small residential developments (up to 8 units) is already covered by the recently passed 'City of Yes …
1:59:39
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47 sec
Testimony by Brendan Cheney from the New York Housing Conference on the housing crisis and inequitable development patterns
Brendan Cheney from the New York Housing Conference presents data illustrating the depth of NYC's housing crisis, including record low vacancy rates, soaring rents outpacing income growth, and widespread rent …
2:01:18
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4 min
Testimony by Shanequa Charles from Miss Abbie's Kids on the Bronx housing crisis and proposed charter reforms
Shanequa Charles, Executive Director of Miss Abbie's Kids and a Bronx community organizer, testifies that the current NYC Charter fails Bronx residents, linking flawed land use processes (ULURP) and weak …
2:05:51
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9 min
Shanequa Charles discusses Bronx eviction rates and the impact of Right to Counsel
Commissioner Dr. Lisette Nieves commends Shanequa Charles for addressing the risks faced by current tenants, including eviction and poor housing conditions, and requests data on eviction rates. Charles explains that …
2:15:16
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155 sec
Shanequa Charles discusses AMI reform and advocates for mixed-income development
Commissioner Shams DaBaron asks Shanequa Charles about the financial feasibility of developing deeply affordable housing (<40% AMI). Charles critiques the traditional Area Median Income (AMI) calculation for inappropriately inflating income …
2:17:53
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4 min
Testimony by Maria Forbes, public housing Tenant Association President, on housing rights and process failures
Maria Forbes, a Tenant Association President in public housing with roles at the UN and other advocacy groups, testifies on the failures of the current system to treat housing as …
2:23:21
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4 min
Testimony by Hadaryah Morgan from the Center for Urban Community Services on supportive housing development challenges
Hadaryah Morgan, COO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), describes their extensive work developing and operating supportive housing with comprehensive on-site services in the Bronx and across NYC. …
2:27:33
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3 min
Hadaryah Morgan suggests incorporating positive impacts into environmental reviews for supportive housing
Commissioner Shams DaBaron asks Hadaryah Morgan about potential charter mechanisms to ensure fairer distribution (fair share) of supportive housing. Morgan expresses support for previously discussed ideas like limiting member veto …
2:30:51
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144 sec
Testimony by Roxanne Delgado on ULURP failures and displacement concerns in a Bronx rezoning
Roxanne Delgado, a Bronx resident, testifies about procedural failures and negative impacts related to a specific rezoning affecting Community Board 11 and Council District 13. She alleges the community board …
2:33:55
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3 min
Testimony by David Gellman, Bronx Community Board 8 Member, on concerns regarding City of Yes
David Gellman, speaking as a resident and member of Bronx Community Board 8, expresses concerns reflective of his board regarding the 'City of Yes' housing proposal. While not opposed to …
2:37:50
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82 sec
Testimony by Ericka Keller from Brisa Builders Development on a fast-track ULURP for affordable projects
Ericka Keller, Managing Member of Brisa Builders Development which partners with faith-based and nonprofit groups, advocates for amending ULURP (Charter Chapters 8 & 9) to create an expedited process for …
2:39:17
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3 min
Ericka Keller discusses zoning challenges for faith-based housing developments
Commissioner Valerie White asks developer Ericka Keller about specific obstacles faced by faith-based housing projects, beyond general ULURP delays. Keller identifies restrictive zoning (many churches are on M1-zoned land limiting …
2:42:40
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164 sec
Ericka Keller details the extreme financial burdens and delays faced by smaller developers in ULURP
Commissioner Leila Bozorg asks developer Ericka Keller about the disproportionate burden the lengthy and costly entitlement process places on smaller and emerging developers. Keller vividly describes the immense personal financial …
2:45:32
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5 min
Ericka Keller calls for better inter-agency coordination in planning and development
Responding to Commissioner Shams DaBaron's question about potential charter solutions, developer Ericka Keller emphasizes the critical need for better coordination and shared purpose among city agencies involved in development. She …
2:51:17
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133 sec
Testimony by Basha Gerhards from the Real Estate Board of New York on development costs and process inefficiencies
Basha Gerhards from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) testifies that NYC's development process is significantly longer and more expensive than in other US locations, hindering housing production. …
2:54:25
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3 min
Testimony by Michael Kaess on ULURP reform and limiting member deference
Michael Kaess, a Morris Park resident, corroborates former Council Member Marjorie Velasquez's account of the vitriol surrounding the Throgs Neck rezoning, which he supported. Based on his experience with ULURP, …
2:57:43
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122 sec
REBNY discusses potential recommendations focusing on environmental impact thresholds for ULURP
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod asks if the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) will provide specific charter revision recommendations. Basha Gerhards indicates they likely will but are carefully considering options …
2:59:52
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94 sec