A new speaker of the New York City Council is expected to change the way development negotiations play out for local councilmembers.
Sally Goldenberg offers insight into the potential political effects of a new council speaker in New York City.
The newly elected speaker, Ryan Johnson, has "indicated he will take a more active role in the Council’s land use negotiations," according to Goldenberg.
For context, the previous speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, had a "hands-off style" that proved to be an obstacle to Mayor Bill de Blasio's goals for housing and development. "Mark-Viverito, whose term as speaker ended on Dec. 31, agreed with much of the mayor's agenda," according to Goldenberg. "But she gave the other 50 legislators control over the future of development in their districts, allowing them to reject unpopular residential projects and, in recent cases, attempt to block proposals that don't even require public input."
Goldenberg also details how former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Council Speaker Christine Quinn negotiated the minutia of development deals, often trading down zonings in nearby neighborhoods to deliver an approval.
During de Blasio's term, several high-profile projects have been shot down by local councilmembers. Although Johnson has said he will support local councilmembers, but also introduced the idea that he might overrule them on occasion.
FULL STORY: As Speaker, Johnson to take a different approach to land use decisions
New York City Polystyrene Ban Took Effect New Year's Day
Thanks to two recent New York State court rulings, disposable food and beverage containers will no longer be made from polystyrene in the nation's largest city. The ban was originally proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in February 2013.
Means-Based, Transit-Fare Discounts Take a Leap Forward in the Big Apple
The 2019 New York City budget includes $106 million to subsidize half the transit fare for qualified residents for six months. The city joins the ranks of Seattle, Toronto, and the Bay Area that offer income-based discounts for transit fares.
Praise for Gov. Andrew Cuomo from New York Times on Cordon Pricing
Thanks to the governor's support, there is reason for optimism that a plan to charge motorists entering Manhattan below 60th St. and toll the East River bridges will have a better outcome than Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan did in April 2008.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie