New York City's borough presidents have taken on a more significant role in housing decisions after a ballot measure restored their power to overturn Council land use votes. This shift is expected to transform what was once a largely ceremonial position into one with actual authority over development projects.
For Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn Borough President, this new power means making tough choices about which neighborhoods receive new housing developments. His recently released rubric for decision-making prioritizes areas that need more density, such as Bensonhurst and Midwood in southern Brooklyn. The goal is to address the city's housing crisis without focusing solely on individual communities.
Reynoso aims to "depoliticize" housing issues by basing his votes on where homes are being built and not just where they're needed most. His plan includes assigning development goals for every neighborhood, which will help guide borough president decisions on appeals from the Council.
A recent analysis found that some Brooklyn neighborhoods are producing fewer new affordable housing units than others. Areas like Bensonhurst and Midwood are struggling to meet their density targets, leaving Reynoso with a tough decision: should he allow developers to build more in these areas or prioritize other neighborhoods?
Reynoso has stated that his rubric is universal, using the same formula for every neighborhood. However, this approach may not be without controversy, as some community groups and elected officials have expressed concerns about the appeals board's potential impact on Council negotiations over affordability.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said he suspects this new tool will lead to more housing applications, while Queens Borough President Donovan Richards plans to use it when necessary to ensure that every district contributes to meeting the city's affordable housing goals.
The borough presidents' new roles raise questions about how they'll balance their individual decisions with the interests of their constituents. Will they prioritize community feedback or rely on a case-by-case approach? Only time will tell how this power shift plays out, but one thing is certain: the city's housing landscape is about to change in significant ways.
Reynoso and other borough presidents are not alone in facing these challenges. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossela opposes comprehensive land use reforms, while Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has stated that she'll evaluate each proposal on a "case-by-case basis."
As the city navigates its housing crisis, it's essential to monitor how the borough presidents exercise their new powers and what impact they have on development projects. One thing is clear: this shift in authority marks a significant shift away from individual Council votes and towards a more community-driven approach to addressing New York City's affordable housing needs.
For Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn Borough President, this new power means making tough choices about which neighborhoods receive new housing developments. His recently released rubric for decision-making prioritizes areas that need more density, such as Bensonhurst and Midwood in southern Brooklyn. The goal is to address the city's housing crisis without focusing solely on individual communities.
Reynoso aims to "depoliticize" housing issues by basing his votes on where homes are being built and not just where they're needed most. His plan includes assigning development goals for every neighborhood, which will help guide borough president decisions on appeals from the Council.
A recent analysis found that some Brooklyn neighborhoods are producing fewer new affordable housing units than others. Areas like Bensonhurst and Midwood are struggling to meet their density targets, leaving Reynoso with a tough decision: should he allow developers to build more in these areas or prioritize other neighborhoods?
Reynoso has stated that his rubric is universal, using the same formula for every neighborhood. However, this approach may not be without controversy, as some community groups and elected officials have expressed concerns about the appeals board's potential impact on Council negotiations over affordability.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said he suspects this new tool will lead to more housing applications, while Queens Borough President Donovan Richards plans to use it when necessary to ensure that every district contributes to meeting the city's affordable housing goals.
The borough presidents' new roles raise questions about how they'll balance their individual decisions with the interests of their constituents. Will they prioritize community feedback or rely on a case-by-case approach? Only time will tell how this power shift plays out, but one thing is certain: the city's housing landscape is about to change in significant ways.
Reynoso and other borough presidents are not alone in facing these challenges. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossela opposes comprehensive land use reforms, while Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has stated that she'll evaluate each proposal on a "case-by-case basis."
As the city navigates its housing crisis, it's essential to monitor how the borough presidents exercise their new powers and what impact they have on development projects. One thing is clear: this shift in authority marks a significant shift away from individual Council votes and towards a more community-driven approach to addressing New York City's affordable housing needs.
! so he's prioritizing areas that need more density like Bensonhurst & Midwood in southern Brooklyn... it's all about addressing the city's housing crisis without focusing on individual communities 
. i'm low-key excited to see how this plays out, esp since he's trying to "depoliticize" housing issues by basing his votes on where homes are being built 
. but at the same time, i can see why some community groups & elected officials would be concerned about the appeals board's impact on Council negotiations over affordability 
. what do u think tho? 
! Having borough presidents take on more of an actual role in housing decisions feels like a step in the right direction for addressing NYC's housing crisis 
. It's awesome that they're prioritizing areas with density issues, but I do hope they consider community feedback and input when making those tough choices 
.
. Fingers crossed they get it right and make this new system work! 
They're making the tough choices on where to build new homes 
Bensonhurst and Midwood are about to get a whole lot denser 
Can't wait to see how this all plays out 
. and let's be real, this new power shift is not just about affordability, its also about gentrification 
. we need more than just data analysis to figure out what works for NYC's housing crisis 
. I think it's cool that they're prioritizing areas like Bensonhurst and Midwood in southern Brooklyn for new developments. It's about time we address our affordable housing shortage without just focusing on individual communities. But I'm also curious to see how they'll balance community feedback with their own decisions 
.
. It sounds like they're trying to make some tough choices that'll benefit the whole city, not just one neighborhood at a time. But at the same time, I can see how some community groups might be worried about their voices being heard 
. It's all about finding that balance between progress and representation, you know? The rubric sounds like it could be a good starting point, but I hope they're open to making adjustments as needed 
. And hey, at least we'll finally see some real action on the city's housing crisis! 
.