City Council Pushes Back on Adams’ Ballot Housing Proposals

The New York City Council is urging the Board of Elections to reject three ballot questions approved by Mayor Eric Adams’ Charter Revision Commission on July 21 for the upcoming general election. 

The questions aim to fast-track the development of affordable housing, but the language could mislead voters, according to a letter the council sent Aug. 27. 

The council argues that its power would effectively be dissolved if any of the proposals were adopted.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, the Board of Elections is scheduled to decide whether to certify the ballot. 

Two of the proposals would fast-track applications for certain developments by reducing the number of bodies involved and cutting the review period.

The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP, is a seven-month process that moves from the city planning department to the City Council and then to the mayor’s office.

Under one of these measures, some projects could be approved in three months, with decisions made by the City Planning Commission. The mayor would appoint seven of the commission’s 13 members. 

“It’s actually nonsense,” Council Member Eric Dinowitz told The Press. “The idea of fast tracking is ridiculous. Anyone who’s involved in land use knows that the bulk of the time it takes time to deal with it happens before the official ULURP clock even starts.” 

According to global law firm Greenberg Traurig, the pre-certification process can take anywhere from a year to 18 months. 

The third proposal would create a new board made up of the mayor, the Speaker of the City Council and the borough president of the borough where the development may be located. 

Only two of three votes are needed to reverse council land use decisions. 

“[City Council] is the only real authority the public can rely on to influence decisions on land use proposals within their communities, providing a powerful voice and serving as a strong and well-known lever of power for residents,” the council letter stated. 

Dinowitz shared a similar viewpoint, telling The Press the proposals undermine local input. 

“What it’s actually doing — and it doesn’t say this in the question — is it takes away control from the community and hands it to the mayor and developers,” he said. 

The council member also added even if developments can be built faster and cheaper, it does not mean it would be done right. 

“The mayor just wants to build as many units as possible, because that sounds good in a press release,” he explained. “But when the vast majority of the units you build are studio or one-bedroom apartments, that doesn’t meet the needs of the community.” 

The New York Apartment Association, which represents landlords and affordable property owners, supports the measures.

“We are in a historic housing crisis and there are three proposals that will, without a doubt, reduce the cost of building housing,” CEO Kenny Burgos said in a statement. “Denying voters the right to weigh in on the affordability of this city would be wrong.” 

Dinowitz said he plans to launch an educational campaign in collaboration with community boards and civic organizations, hosting informational sessions to help constituents understand what they will be voting on.

“The mayor does not appear interested in working with local elected officials,” he stated.