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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers on the proposed land use reforms
0:36:58
·
3 min
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers expresses serious concerns about the commission's proposed land use reforms.
She argues that fast-tracking affordable housing and simplifying the review process would sideline communities and the City Council, leading to development that outpaces infrastructure.
She contends that these changes would ultimately lead to worse outcomes for the very communities the commission seeks to serve.
- Brooks-Powers warns that fast-tracking affordable housing projects without council or community board review is a "recipe for deepening inequality" in areas with strained infrastructure.
- She argues that even "modest" rezonings can have major consequences in low-rise communities.
- She opposes the creation of a land use appeals board, stating it would undermine the purpose of ULURP and allow citywide interests to overrule local voices.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:36:58
Hi.
0:36:58
Can you hear me?
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:37:00
Yes.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:37:01
Hi.
0:37:02
Good evening, everyone.
0:37:04
It's good to see everyone virtually.
0:37:06
I had the privilege of representing the 30 First District in Southeast Queens for the New York City Council, and I'm here tonight to raise serious concerns about several proposals advanced by the mayor's charter revision commission, proposals that would significantly diminish the role of the council and our communities in land use decision.
0:37:27
These changes are being framed as efficiency measures.
0:37:30
But in practice, they sideline the very people who understand our neighborhoods best.
0:37:36
As someone who inherited a number of development projects and even voted for several, I have a unique perspective as to why it is critical to include local voices into the process so that we may address our housing crisis while accounting for local nuances.
0:37:53
Communities like mine, where unchecked development has long outpaced infrastructure, simply put, cannot afford to be cut out of these decisions.
0:38:02
Let's take the first proposal to fast track affordable housing.
0:38:06
On its face, it sounds positive.
0:38:09
We all support more affordable housing, but this proposal would allow projects with mandatory inclusionary housing components to bypass the uniform land use review procedure entirely.
0:38:21
That means neither the community board nor the council would have any role.
0:38:26
In my in districts like mine, where we're already grappling with overstretched sewer systems, flood risk, and underfunded schools, that's a recipe for deepening inequality and straining an already crumbling infrastructure, not addressing it.
0:38:40
The second proposal would simplify review of so called modest rezoning.
0:38:45
But what the Charter Commission defines as modest, a four story building or a 30% increase in density can have major consequences in low rise communities.
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The City of Yes proposal taught us this lesson.
0:38:58
Council input was critical in modifying that plan to prevent basement apartments and ADUs in flood prone area.
0:39:07
Without the local expertise, we risk building housing without the infrastructure to support it, worsening conditions not improving.
0:39:15
The third proposal would create an appeals board that could override the city council's vote on land use application.
0:39:22
Today, the council has de facto authority over ULURP, the process that determines how our communities grow.
0:39:29
Removing the council's authority and elected body over rezonings undermines the very purpose of ULURP, to give communities a seat at the table in shaping their own futures.
0:39:40
This proposal would allow citywide interest to overrule the voices of communities that would bear the brunt of these impacts.
0:39:47
This would set a dangerous new precedent, one that would leverage a panel to overrule local elected officials that are tasked with representing the interests of their respective districts.
0:39:57
At a time when trust in government is fragile, we should be doing more to bring communities into the process, not less.
0:40:03
The council must remain an integral part of the land's decisions in the city.
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Removing the council from these processes would undermine accountability, silence local voices, and ultimately lead to worse outcomes for the very communities we all seek to serve.
0:40:19
I thank you for your time and for your partnership.
0:40:22
Thank you again.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:40:24
Thank you so much for your testimony.
0:40:25
Deeply appreciate it.
0:40:27
Are there any questions for council member Brooks Powers?
Diane Savino
0:40:31
Thank you.
0:40:33
Oh, yeah.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:40:34
Okay.
0:40:35
Thank you very much.
0:40:36
Appreciate it.