Stephanie Simone-Mahaney of Brooklyn CB10 testifies on fast track methodology
She objects to CB10 being on fast track, says methodology is flawed, concerns about displacement and loss of democratic accountability.
I'm Stephanie Simone Mahaney and the chair of the Zoning and Land Use Committee of Brooklyn Community Board 10, representing Bay Ridge, Diker Heights, and Fort Hamilton.
CB10 has been identified as the lowest producing district among the 12 designated for affordable housing fast track.
We take serious exception to both the methodology used to reach that designation and the consequences it carries for our community.
A five-year measure of newly produced income-restricted housing divided by a district's existing housing units is not a meaningful measure of its development capacity.
Existing housing stock does not tell us how much land is available or appropriate for development.
The formula does not adequately account for existing density, vacant land, contextual zoning, infrastructure constraints, or the feasibility of producing affordable housing in a largely built-out district like ours.
Nor does it recognize the considerable value of preserving existing affordable and rent-stabilized housing.
We're particularly concerned that the pursuit of new affordable housing could come at the expense of the affordable housing we already have.
Upzoning creates development opportunities, but it can also place existing lower cost and rent-stabilized housing under redevelopment pressure.
The potential loss of existing affordability must be considered alongside anticipated gains in new production.
Low affordable housing production does not necessarily indicate unmet affordable housing need, nor does it establish that additional development would deliver affordability to those who need it most.
The affordability crisis and
the housing shortage should not be treated as synonyms.
Increasing supply does not by itself guarantee affordability.
Equally troubling for us is the loss of democratic accountability.
Under the Affordable Housing Fast Track, final approval rests with the CPC, a body of appointed officials, rather than the city council members elected to represent the affected communities.
While commissioners have citywide planning responsibilities, they cannot be expected to possess the same familiarity with our neighborhoods, infrastructure, or longstanding community concerns as those who represent work within them.
Just to say, community boards and borough presidents retain opportunity to comment, but their role is further diminished in a compressed process that removes final approval authority from locally elected representatives.
And I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to speak.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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