Chair Sherman responds on flooding and fast track methodology

Thank you, Councilmember, and thank you for raising these issues.

And I have familiarity with your district and particularly the flooding issues that you've shared.

And so this is

We are already well aware of this.

And again, it's a priority as we start to have conversations with DEP or other capital agencies about growth in these neighborhoods, right?

So that as we are leading any city-led actions, we're being attentive to the underlying infrastructure needs and the most appropriate places for that within your district.

I would also just note that the Affordable Housing Fast Track, again, was created through a rate of housing production, not a pure or raw number.

And so...

Production may look relatively modest in certain parts of your district relative to the overall rate that's being produced.

But, you know, it still may ultimately create a higher rate of production based on the housing dynamics in your neighborhood.

And so while

you know, this is a uniform methodology, it does account for the fact that every community is different and that's built into the way it was calculated.

And so, again, I know that we'll be out to your district soon, but certainly want to take a nuanced look with you about where there could be opportunities.

And again, the types of tools, affordable housing tools, that make sense for that part of Queens.

We also recognize that at the end of the last administration, we completed a really large neighborhood plan in Jamaica.

We're really excited about that and excited to see the impact of that.

And so there's a lot of opportunity already through that.

And we want to figure out how we pair that.

with growth in other parts of your district.

And I will turn it over to my colleague at HPD.