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.

Council member Richards comes to Zoning after chairing the Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection.  While there, Richards strongly advocated for flood relief infrastructure, the citywide advancement of solar power, and an overall reduction of carbon emissions including Intro 693, the Lights Out bill requiring unoccupied commercial buildings to turn off their lights to conserve energy.

In a statement, Council member Richards said he looked forward his new role as Zoning chair and plans to bring his environmental advocacy to the position.  “In my new role as chair for Zoning and Franchises, I am excited to be involved in Mayor de Blasio’s push for more affordable housing across the city. I also plan to ensure that we preserve the character of all neighborhoods when they are rezoned and that new developments place an emphasis on being green from the ground up.”

By:  Michael Twomey (Michael is the CityLaw Fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2014).