New Yorkers Voted Build, Build, Build!

"On Tuesday, New Yorkers voted to pass three housing ballot proposals to amend the city's charter, streamlining the approvals process for several types of developments. The ballot measures, which passed by about 20 percent (nearly 60 percent in favor, and a little over 40 percent against), with about 91 percent of the vote counted, were perhaps not as closely scrutinized as the mayoral polls, but they represent a major change in how the city builds housing,"

"The city council portrayed the proposals as a power grab that would return the city to a Robert Moses-era of top-down decision making that would give developers a blank check and weaken the ability of local representatives to negotiate for more and deeper affordable housing, schools, parks, and other public benefits with them. But on election day, several councilmembers, including Erik Bottcher (representing Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen) and Shaun Abreu (Morningside Heights, West Harlem), came out in support of all the measures."

Voters approved three charter amendments that streamline the approvals process for multiple types of housing developments, passing by about 20 percentage points with nearly 60 percent in favor. The measures shift discretionary approval power away from local councilmembers toward the mayor and borough presidents, accelerating development timelines. Critics warned the changes could concentrate power, revive top-down decision making, and weaken local leverage to secure deeper affordable housing and other public benefits. Several councilmembers and mayoral candidates supported the measures, citing urgent need for new housing and goals to expand permanently affordable units.

Read at Curbed