Proposed Law Would End Development Review Exemption for Homeless Shelters

If passed, a new law would require homeless shelter developments in New York City to undergo the full Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

1 minute read

January 29, 2020, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

elbud / Shutterstock

Sydney Kashiwagi reports: "After Staten Islanders and the borough’s elected officials say they were left in the dark about the city’s plan for a 200-family homeless shelter at 44 Victory Blvd., two North Shore state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would increase public scrutiny of shelter developments, using the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)."

"Because homeless shelters are considered emergency resources, they currently do not face the same level of review as other types of major construction projects -- instead, the city is only required to give a community 30 days notice to voice any potential concerns about a site before it opens," explains Kashiwagi. The ULURP public review process, by comparison, takes a year.

State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblymember Charles Fall proposed the new bill in the New York State Assembly, but the law would change the city's administrative code to require ULURP review.

The law was proposed in New York the same month as a proposed bill in California would relax required environmental review for homeless shelters—the opposite effect.

FULL STORY: Savino, Fall introduce legislation that would make homeless shelters subject to public land use review

Monday, January 27, 2020 in Staten Island Advance

Housing Land Use Urban Development New York New York City Homeless Shelters Planning Approvals Process Development Approvals Uniform Land Use Review Procedure NIMBYs Controversies View More

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