Bill Would Give More Bite to Community Boards' Bark
Councilman Tony Avella is putting the final touches on a bill that would make community-based plans the framework for zoning regulations, land use, and development for every district in the five boroughs. He expects to formally introduce the bill to the City Council this summer.
Under the current system. community boards can submit development initiatives called 197a plans that “have no legal force whatsoever;" are often overlooked; and limit residents’ influence over the future shape of their neighborhood, according to Mr. Avella.
“The bill would allow each community, through the mechanism of the community board, to meet and develop a 197a plan... that would in effect become the planning document for the neighborhood,” Mr. Avella told The Observer Monday.
“Every neighborhood would put together its own plan that would go into the community document, the borough document, and the city document… It gives real power to every neighborhood so every citizen has a say in what happens.”
Mr. Avella said future construction projects would be bound by the 197a document or be required to submit an application to build outside regulations. He has been working since 2002 with the planning center task force led Eva Baron at the Municipal Arts Society to create a citywide, community-based planning framework modeled after similar programs in Seattle and Rochester, NY.
The legislation stems from a 2001 campaign to raise awareness about local city planning initiatives among the new crop of lawmakers on the City Council.
Since the proposed law is still being written up, Ms. Baron would not say whether each community board would be required to draft its own 197a plan or the extent to which the local plan would be the basis for land use and zoning regulations.
“It would make sure [community boards] get funding and ensure an automatic connection between 197a plan and city planning,” Ms. Baron said. As members of the communinity, she said developers will also contribute to 197a's.
Ms. Baron told Brownstoner last week that the bill will also make sure the community board plans take the interests of the entire community into account.
The legislation has the potential to stop “any rezoning that goes through that wasn’t done at request of the community,” said Mr. Avella.
“The Columbia expansion is one example that was passed by the City Council in opposition to a 197a plan,” he said of rezoning plans that might have turned out differently. “Under this legislation it wouldn’t have gone through because it conflicts with the community board plan.”
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This is an awful - AWFUL - idea - - - another layer of bureaucracy that we can not afford.
Instead - how about supporting a revision to the New York City Council Charter to not only eliminate the office of the borough president and the public advocate, but also the community boards.
No more bloat - bloat - bloat.
This way, the City Council members would actually have duties - and I'm not talking about weighing the merits of aluminum or wooden bats - just real responsibilities. Their jobs should be full time - and that would mean no side incomes nor allegiances.
They would be elected to serve as dedicated public servants - not life-long politicians. If they don't like the idea, maybe they should get real jobs.
Sorry Mr. Avella - I'm sure you are a great public servant, but this is a horrible idea.
Any bill that will give community more voice and power it's worth my support. I attend my community board meetings and I can tell you that while it's a great way to get informed, your voice really goes nowhere since the elected officials and/or developers will do what they want anyways.
I would actually support and encourage a bill that will require anyone who wishes to be part of the commun ity board to run and be elected by those who reside within that community board. This way, those in teh community boards are truly free and can vote on whatever they feel is best for the community and not what is dictated to them.
Maybe this is too progressive but I believe in giving our community a real voice and real power.
Best,
Haile Rivera
www.HaileRivera.com
HELL NO!!! Community Boards need to be severely reformed or done away with completely. They are filled with political cronies (who rubber stamp anything for the elected official who appointed them) and lifers who usually don't reflect their communities. In fact, they often yoke poor and prosperous communities which means that poorer communities get the shaft. Bad idea Avella. The Municipal Art Society needs to get out into the streets and talk to real people.
It is erroneous to say that community boards are filled with political cronies. Community boards are comprised of community residents or those who have a significant interest (e.g. a business) within the district borders. It is an UNPAID position for which members must attend the monthly meeting and be active on at least one committee.
With that being said, they are well known to their neighbors and elected officials because of their roles. Members of the board are on the street and in touch with community issues. They know who to call when there is an issue and work with the community at large to address issues.
Get rid of the boards? Are you out of your mind? Boards are one of the few ways were Joe and Jane Citizen can have input in what is happening in their neighborhood.
I agree that this is a HORRIBLE idea and will do nothing but ensure that nothing gets built or changed in the city. The community boards are filled with NIMBY-sayers who want no new development and nothing to change in their neighborhoods. The CB's are full of non-expert, small-minded people who have no vision and no responsibility for the city as a whole.
I foresee mass confusion in Bloomberg'splan to give residential permit parking (RPP) authority to the community boards. This is such a change to street-use that the city should have mandated it across the entire city.
Let's wait and guage the mess the CB's make of RPP before we give them anymore authority.
The fact is that community board members are added on after they are approved by the borough president. This is why people say that COMMUNITY BOARDS ARE FILLED WITH POLITICAL CRONIES.
Many cities throughout the country have unpaid city council members and their cities run very smoothly because dedicated citizens rise to the challenge to represent their communities. They meet regularly to discuss matters and to vote.
Our boroughs is rich with civic associations, tenant associations, precinct councils and community groups who work to improve our neighborhoods. Their members are volunteers. As part of a participatory democracy, of course Joe and Jane Citizen should have input - but what about Joe and Jane who disagree with the goals of their borough president and cannot participate on that level because of politic clashes with the borough president?
New York City can no longer afford - nor should continue to afford - elected officials who serve no legislative purpose, no executive purpose, and no judicial purpose - such as borough presidents, public advocates, and community board members.
This is not to say that the people who serve are not anything less than wonderful and dedicated and caring people. So many of them are! Their concern for our neighborhoods won't disappear if the office of the public advocate, theh borough presidents and community boards no longer exist.
As we continue to structure our city's government to function in a cost-efficient manner, we need to finally modify the City Charter once and for all and do away with the excess vestiges of the past and not even think of adding another layer of bureaucracy to the system.
I don't understand how turning zoning decisions over to unelected community board members gives "every citizen a say in what happens".
It doesn't. This is mainly OLD people, stodgy people who need to die already so we can turn this city over to futuristic minded people; not people who wait for social security, watch Wheel of Fortune and Matlock. Move to Florida already you council pukes.
A good depression will clean everything out.
Please advise your readers when there may be City Council hearings on this matter so we can add public comment and oppose this plan.
Thank you!
These councils are something akin to Stalinist era star chamber.
They have held New York back from being a truly great city.
If this idea were to be implemented, all development and construction would freeze up instantly in New York. Community Boards are, for the most part, filled with people against development of any kind. Real estate development and construction form part of the financial backbone of our city, employing everyone from laborers to lawyers. If Tony Avella and his NIMBYs pass this law, it will deal a severe blow to an already reeling city economy. Were Tony Avella ever to become mayor (I know we're not this stupid), we'd all be living in teepees within 20 years.