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The City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use voted to approve the Mayor’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposals with modifications. CityLand created a comprehensive chart outlining the modifications made to MIH and ZQA and approved by the Council.
Council Member Rafael Espinal questioning the panel of Mayoral Administration representatives. Image credit: CityLand
Council Members expressed concern-ridden comments on the proposal’s plans for neighborhood job programs and the proposed housing’s lack of deep affordability levels. On March 7, 2016, the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on the East New York Community Plan. If approved, the Plan would make East New York, and portions of Cypress Hills and Ocean Hill, located in Brooklyn, the first area to be rezoned under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York plan.
The City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises hearing testimony from City Planning Chairman Carl Weisbrod, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and Commissioner Vicki Been (from left to right). Image credit: CityLand
Testimony was heard on a wide range of issues spanning from decreased parking requirements to increased building height limits. On February 10, 2016, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposal. The hearing was held in the City Council Chambers in City Hall to accommodate the capacity audience.
Recently-approved text amendment streamlines the elevation process for homes in the flood zone. Image credit: Rosanna Arias/FEMA
Amendment streamlines process for reconstruction, elevation of homes. On July 23, 2015 the City Council approved an amendment to the zoning text relating to homes in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The amendment is designed to remove complications faced by 2,000 owners of one- and two-family homes in Staten Island, Southern Queens, and Southern Brooklyn who have been working to rebuild and elevate their homes in the event of another flood, while lowering the cost of flood insurance for the residences. The amendment was submitted jointly by the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Department of City Planning.
Councilmember Donovan Richards. Image credit: William Alatriste/NYC Council
The Council member previously chaired the Committee on Environmental Protection. On July 20, 2015 the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises was held for the first time with new committee chair Council member Donovan Richards. Council member Richards was elected to the Council in 2013 from the 31st Council District, representing southeast Queens and the Rockaways. He was voted in as chair on June 26 to replace Council member Mark Weprin after Weprin resigned his seat to take a position with Governor Andrew Cuomo.
