Overview

• The CRC released its interim report July 10 outlining five proposed charter amendments aimed at accelerating affordable housing development and overhauling local elections
• Four land-use measures would limit individual councilmembers’ “member deference,” transfer approval authority to city agencies and a new ULURP Appeals Board, and shorten review timelines for publicly financed and inclusionary housing projects
• A fifth amendment would move municipal elections to even-numbered years and create an open primary system in which all voters participate and the top two candidates advance regardless of party
• Opponents including Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers and Robert Holden, unions 32BJ SEIU and the District Council of Carpenters, and community boards warn the reforms would centralize power and undermine local accountability
• The commission will vote July 21 to finalize which measures go before voters in November, with state approval required to synchronize city elections with federal cycles