Image Credit: NYCHA.

On September 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new leadership structure for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The new structure will split the roles of the NYCHA chair and chief executive officer, which until now had been held together by one person. Greg Russ will step down as the chief executive officer but will remain the chair. NYCHA Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Lisa Bova-Hiatt will serve as the interim chief executive officer until a new permanent one can be appointed.  (more…)

Hybrid hearings will allow members of the public to either attend public meetings in person or virtually. However, the state of emergency will keep meetings virtual for now. Image Credit: CityLand

Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about how the open meetings law should better reflect modern circumstances. (more…)

The Displacement Risk Map, a feature in the new Equitable Development Data Explorer website, highlights neighborhoods that are at risk for displacement due to a variety of factors. Neighborhoods show in darker colors are at higher risk of displacement. Image Credit: NYC DCP.

On April 11, 2022, the Department of City Planning announced the launch of the new Equitable Development Data Explorer website. The site provides users with data regarding housing, demographics, public health, and other data to compare across neighborhoods in assistance with fairer city planning.  (more…)

Image credit: New York City Council.

The bill reduces or eliminates some fines. On June 17, 2021, the City Council voted to pass a bill that reduces fines and allows opportunities to remedy certain violations for 185 civil penalties. Int. No. 2233-A, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Gibson, provides civil penalty relief from 185 different sanitation, health, transportation, consumer affairs, noise control and buildings violations. (more…)

Slide from the Zoning for Coastal Flood Resiliency Plan proposal. The Plan has been approved by City Council. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The citywide zoning changes will help to keep New York City coastal residents and businesses more prepared for climate change. On May 12, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced new zoning rules to help protect homes and business located in New York City’s floodplain from climate change. The Zoning for Coastal Flood Resiliency, approved by the City Council earlier that day, helps to withstand and recover from major disasters and rising sea levels. (more…)