 Borough President Vito Fossella called the "City of Yes" zoning amendments “a mistake,” which have the potential of increasing development in Staten Island’s relatively low-density neighborhoods.
He is a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in the spring with Staten Island and Queens-based civic associations and public figures, challenging the legality of the amendments, as well as arguing that the plan sidestepped a full environmental review. The "City of Yes" plan can potentially add 80,000 units of new housing to the five boroughs through a series of regulation changes to things like accessory dwelling units, such as backyard cottages, basement and attic apartments, and extensions on existing residences. “After hearing the arguments, we believe stronger than ever that this was a mistake, that Staten Island and other parts of the city will suffer, that the city didn’t do enough, not only did it not review, but it also ignored a lot of our concerns,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Richmond County Surrogate Court. Attorney Jack Lester said the "City of Yes" plan was separated into three parts, encompassing carbon neutrality, housing opportunity, and economic opportunity to circumvent the environmental review requirements. “What the city attempted to do with this rezoning, which we hope we can halt through this court proceeding, is to make the environment the enemy of housing,” he said. “The environment is not the enemy of housing, and, in fact, if the policy’s objective was to increase housing, then there should have been steps made to protect the environment. What the city did was rush to create density for profiteering for the exclusion of the environment.” Borough President Fossella said this is only the third rezoning effort in the city’s history. “Most of it has been to respect and ensure that the environment is protected, that there’s more open space, there’s more air, there’s more circulation, more yard space -- and because this only happens every 50, 60 years or so, it is why we have to stand strong now,” he said. Comments are closed.
|