Community Boards Mostly Reject Mayor's Zoning for Affordable Housing Plans

New Yorkers may have voted for Mayor de Blasio and his promise of affordability, but they’re torn on voting for his plan to enact it.

As community boards vote on two proposals that would help the mayor meet his goals of creating affordable housing, it’s a mixed bag of approvals and rejections from Brooklynites.

The first proposal, mandatory inclusionary housing, would require developers to set aside 25 percent or 30 percent of a development for affordable units if the building takes advantage of a rezoning.

A second proposal would alter the zoning code to allow more dense developments by increasing height limitations and easing sidewalk set-back restrictions, among other things.

As part of the public review process, every community board in New York City must vote on the matter this month. So far, only three Brooklyn community boards have approved both the proposals (CB 2, CB 4, and CB 6, all of which are in notably more gentrified, wealthier, and whiter sections of Brooklyn). Eight community boards have rejected both the propositions (CB 3, CB 5, CB 7, CB 10, CB 13, CB 15, CB 17, and CB 18).

Four haven’t voted (CB 9, CB 12, CB 14, CB 16) and one wasn’t immediately available for comment (CB 11).

Community Board 8 was the only board to have a split decision, approving mandatory inclusionary housing and rejecting changes to the zoning code. Community Board 1 is revoting on December 1st, as their last vote did not have quorum.

Community boards must vote on the matter by the end of November, at which time the public review period will end. The community board votes are advisory only but could influence the City Council vote.

“The administration is clearly losing,” an unnamed member of a Brooklyn community board told The Post. “This is a big deal. This is the mayor’s marquee housing plan.”

“There’s definite issues with the [mandatory inclusionary housing] that need to be fixed before I support it fully,” Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams told The Post.

Citywide, as of Monday, November 16, 22 of the city’s 59 community boards have voted against Mayor de Blasio’s proposal for mandatory inclusionary housing, The Post reported.

In addition, a third proposal would upzone particular neighborhoods, among them East New York. In Brooklyn, only CB 16 and 7 are voting on that one.  Community Board 7 has already rejected it. Community Board 16 is set to vote on the matter Tuesday.

For a full list of Brooklyn community boards and the neighborhoods they cover, see the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.

[Photo: Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Facebook]

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