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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cliff Hagen, New York City Council Candidate, Common Ground Party, opposing changes to ULURP and member deference
1:44:29
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166 sec
Cliff Hagen, a City Council candidate and Community Board 3 member, strongly opposes any weakening of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).
He argues that ULURP is a critical tool giving communities, especially on Staten Island, a voice to counter unwanted development and preserve neighborhood character.
Hagen contends that undermining ULURP diminishes the role of community boards and council member deference, asserting that Staten Islanders value democratic input over unchecked development and urging the commission to strengthen, not dismantle, ULURP.
- Argues city agencies have "run riot" on Staten Island with disruptive changes (e.g., composting).
- Views weakening ULURP as undermining Staten Island's self-determination.
- States ULURP allows communities to push back against overdevelopment.
- Believes weakening ULURP minimizes community boards and council member strength.
- Asserts Staten Islanders choose democracy over development and ULURP must be strengthened.
Cliff Hagen
1:44:29
I'm Hagan.
1:44:30
You're Hagan.
1:44:30
Okay.
1:44:30
So I'm Cliff Hagan.
1:44:31
Okay.
1:44:32
Sorry.
1:44:33
Candidate for city council on the common ground party.
1:44:37
And but I'm not here to talk about rank
Richard R. Buery Jr.
1:44:38
choice.
1:44:39
Forgive me again.
1:44:40
I apologize.
Cliff Hagen
1:44:40
That's no no problem.
1:44:41
Don't worry about it.
1:44:42
But it is a long day, and we do have to get home.
1:44:44
And I appreciate you all being here.
1:44:46
I'm sure you have a long commute.
1:44:47
I'm just gonna share some brief comments, general comments, nothing very specific.
1:44:51
It's unfortunate the folks who were here advocating for undermining ULURP have left.
1:44:57
It says a lot.
1:44:58
That's what I would like to address.
1:45:00
So I'll read a few brief comments here.
1:45:03
Good evening.
1:45:03
My name is Cliff Hagan, and I thank you for bringing Charter Revision Commission from your distant offices in Manhattan out here to Staten Island.
1:45:11
You now know how far removed Staten Island remains from the rest of the city, city government in particular.
1:45:17
And it is this lack of access to city government which brings me here today.
1:45:22
Recently, government agencies with a city centric view of their mission have run riot, wreaking havoc across Staten Island.
1:45:29
Heavy handed change without recourse like mandated composting the city of Yes seems to be business as usual in Manhattan, but extraordinarily disruptive out here in Staten Island.
1:45:41
And now this charter revision commission is seeking to undermine Staten Island's last bit of self determination.
1:45:47
This commission wishes to weaken and or negate ULURP, the uniform land use review process.
1:45:54
I have spent more than twenty years fighting against the overdevelopment of Staten Island, and it has been EULRP, which has allowed me and our community to speak up and push back against unwanted, unnecessary, unchecked development in our community.
1:46:09
EULRP gives voice to our community.
1:46:11
Unfortunately, the Charter Revision Commission has been tasked with stifling our voice.
1:46:17
I am a member of community board three, and I am entrusted to represent my neighbors in matters of land use.
1:46:23
Weakening EULRP will minimize the responsibility of community boards.
1:46:27
Lastly, as a candidate for city council representing District 51, I think in an extraordinary overreach of the mayor's office to initiate this drive to end member deference.
1:46:39
When asked to select which is more important, Staten Islanders will always select democracy over development.
1:46:45
This charter revision commission must not minimize our voice, must not minimize the responsibilities of community board, nor minimize the strength of council member representation.
1:46:57
Rather, this commission must strengthen ULURP, not dismantle the supports within ULURP, which help to preserve the true nature and character of our communities.
1:47:05
Of course, I shall submit more specific comments online in the days to come.
1:47:10
Again, thank you for coming out to Staten Island.
1:47:12
I know it's a long trip, and I appreciate your time.