Overview
- Proposals 2 and 3 would move final approval on certain affordable and smaller-scale rezonings from the City Council to the City Planning Commission.
- Proposal 4 would establish a three-member Affordable Housing Appeals Board—comprising the mayor, the council speaker, and the relevant borough president—to overturn council rejections of eligible projects.
- Supporters say the measures would curb member deference, add predictability, and in some cases cut approval timelines from about 215 days to roughly 90 days.
- City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams argues the plans will not fast-track housing because most delays occur in mayoral agency reviews that account for more than 700 of roughly 900 days, while the council’s role is capped at 65 days.
- Adams cites council approval of over 94% of projects since 2022—enabling more than 140,000 homes and over $8 billion for affordability—and warns the changes would weaken leverage for deeper affordability and neighborhood investments.