Fourth Recommendation The Community review instead of being a part of the ULURP process, should take place during the pre-certification process.
Their Rationale:
The Community Board and/or Borough President have never had an opportunity to truly impact a rezoning project once it was certified, thus they can have influence on the project before it is certified.
Our Response:
There is nothing built into this suggestion that states that the recommendations of the Community Board have to be considered during the pre-certification period, thus a Community Board’s role would be the same as it is now under ULURP, advisory and thus can be ignored.
There is also no reference to mandated disclosures to be given during the pre-certification process, that must be made during the ULURP process. (They will say the application is not finalized so you can not have what they are working on, nor hold them accountable to what they are deciding.) This will leave Community boards completely in the dark during the pre-certification process.
For example, when a project is certified and begins the ULURP process the Department of City Planning “DCP” is obligated by “law” to provide everything that is associated with the project. However, in very controversial projects, DCP has failed to provide them and lawsuits have been filed to get DCP to comply.
Reality:
Currently, the only thing community boards have are their voices via the hearings, committee meetings and advisory vote, once an application is certified and starts the ULURP process. This would now be completely eliminated from any rezoning application. We will not be able to hold any hearings, nor cast our vote. The only true power community boards have is the power of the pulpit and that will be eradicated. |
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