CM Banks round 2: Mangin on independence as BSA chair despite advocacy background
Banks asks why the council should trust Mangin to administer provisions he helped create. Mangin says the findings are tightly constrained by law and his involvement is an asset. Banks presses for a concrete example where Mangin would say no to housing; Mangin gives the example of a 10-story building in a two-family district failing the neighborhood character finding.
Okay, and when it comes to privatization, RADPAC conversions,
which can result in private entities taking on management and redevelopment responsibilities of public housing developments.
If a PAC development requires a variance or a special permit or any other action within the BSA's jurisdiction, what responsibility does the BSA
have to consider the impact of that action on the existing NITRA residents?
Thank you.
Again, I'm unaware of any role for BSA in a situation like that.
I know in certain instances, NYCHA has been able to pursue overrides that are consistent with public benefit objectives, but I don't think the BSA has a role in the types of applications that you're considering.
Thank you.
Let me go to Independence as the BSA chair.
You played a major role in the MIH, ZQA, and City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.
You helped develop some of the BSA special permits.
You can now basically, well, now, if you all confirm, you'll be overseeing as chair.
Why should this council be confident that you will administer those provisions independently rather than interpret them in a way that advances?
the housing policies that you help create?
Thank you for the question.
I mean, like other BSA actions, they are pretty tightly constrained by the findings that were written into those actions.
So if an application doesn't meet each and every one of those findings, then the BSA would have no legal authority to approve.
I tend to think my involvement in the creation of some of those BSA actions is a good thing.
It will help me if and when any of those applications are before me rather than being something that raises any issues.
Well, can you...
Well, I know you spent much of your professional career working to increase housing production, but the BSA chair is not the city's housing advocate.
It's a quasi-judicial position that sometimes requires you saying no.
Give me a concrete example of a circumstance where John may imagine as the BSA chair
would be prepared to say, yes, New York City needs more housing, but in a particular project,
if a particular project should not be approved, but would cause you to reach that conclusion?