Michelle de la Uz
2:45:58
Thank you for the opportunity to testify and for your service.
2:46:00
I'm Michelle Delaios, executive Director of the Fifth Avenue Committee, a forty seven year old nonprofit comprehensive community development corporation who's built over 1,500 units of affordable housing.
2:46:10
And we have an affordable housing pipeline of another 2,000 units.
2:46:13
I've also had the pleasure of sitting on the City Planning Commission with a number of you.
2:46:18
Fifth Avenue Committee helped organize the community coalition that led to the Gowanus neighborhood rezoning, one of the most equitable rezonings in our city's history.
2:46:26
I've also negotiated a number of community benefits agreements with private developers around private land use actions.
2:46:36
Fifth Avenue Committee has a project which is set for vote tomorrow where one of two council members is likely to vote no on 100% affordable housing project.
2:46:47
So I have some insight into the things that you're considering and some of the recommendations you've heard before, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
2:46:55
But I definitely think that our public processes should facilitate an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city.
2:47:02
I, you know, I am you know, Fifth Avenue Committee is part of the Thriving Communities Coalition at ANHD, and I certainly believe that a comprehensive plan is something that the city really should move towards.
2:47:14
I think the fair housing framework has been a step in that direction, and I believe that a comprehensive plan would take and balance the local concerns, the legitimate local concerns that many communities have with the citywide needs that a comprehensive plan could address.
2:47:33
Absent a comprehensive plan, depending on the political appetite you all have, I think that in council districts that are not meeting the production goals that are outlined in the fair housing framework that ULURP should end at the City Planning Commission.
2:47:48
I think that could help address a number of the concerns.
2:47:52
Shifting the focus specifically to 100% affordable housing, I think that 100% affordable housing on city owned land that conforms to underlying zoning just does not need to go through ULURP.
2:48:02
I think that the engagement with the local council member and the community boards is something that happens part course anyway and is something that the agencies can mandate.
2:48:12
It doesn't need to happen on a clock.
2:48:15
I also believe we should consider merging the city the community board, excuse me, in the borough president hearing and have that sit at the borough president's office.
2:48:24
And I believe that you should seriously consider for city sponsored neighborhood rezonings that they're that we mandate as part of the city charter a community controlled oversight task force.
2:48:36
It's something that we have as part of the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezonings.
2:48:39
I've been involved in government and or civic life in New York City for thirty five years.
2:48:45
It is the most productive relationship between government and community that I've ever seen.
2:48:50
And one of the things that we really need to work on is building trust between community and government.
2:48:56
And part of that happens after decisions are made when communities are part of the implementation process.
2:49:02
And happy to answer any questions you have.
