City Charter Is Being Changed!

If you would like to view this article in video format please click on this link.

Mayor Eric Adams is proposing (for the second time in his term) to change the City Charter.  This time with a focus on diminishing the power of the City Council and the public regarding private rezoning applications.  As a result we are creating video and emails to educate the public on these proposed changes.

The City Charter is the Constitution of New York City. It empowers and creates agencies and services, with rules and laws on how to govern the City of New York.

• The voters of New York City must approve any changes to the City Charter.
• The proposed changes have short positive descriptions on the back of the November election ballot.
• Most changes are approved by the public.

Who Can Change the City Charter?

The Mayor, The City Council and the Public via Charter Commission, Initiative and Referendum or by Direct Legislative Action.  A lot of resources are needed to perform a revision, thus only government entities have done it, i.e. Mayor, City Council…

Most entities use the Charter Commission route.

How Often is the City Charter Changed!

Since 1898 to 2024 (7 Revisions) Below are significant changes.

• In 1975: Gave Community Boards the power to review rezoning application and created Uniform Land Use Review Procedure “ULURP”.

• In 2020: Performed by City Council: Established Rank Choice Voting

• In 2024: Performed by Mayor Eric Adams: Curtailed City Council’s Power.

What Happens During a Charter Revision?

1. The entity applies for a Charter Commission Revision and then chooses the Commissioners.
2. A presentation is done to inform the public of the purpose and focus of the Commission and to introduce the Commissioners to the public.
3. Public hearings are conducted in every borough to gather feedback on the Commission’s proposed focus and anything else the public may want.
4. The Commissioners’ discussions regarding their findings, their thoughts and their focus are public. Some times experts are invited to speak specifically to the Commissioners about their focus.
5. The Commission presents their final recommendations that must be presented to the legal experts for approval.
6. Public campaigns are performed to inform the broader community of the rationale for the changes being proposed.
7. The changes are placed on the back of the voting ballot to be voted on by the public.

Notes

All hearings and meetings are recorded, transcribed and given to the Commissioners for their review before the next scheduled public meeting.

The Commissioners are given assistants to help summarize the transcripts and legal advice to determine what can be changed and how it can be without breaking other laws etc…. (The last Mayor’s Commission in 2024 did not avail themselves of these transcripts and summaries. They simply pushed the agenda they had started out with!)

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

At City of Yes Hearing Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso Stated:

“I don’t listen to Community Boards because they are made up of homeowners and rent stabilized tenants!”

How Did Eric Adams’ 2025 
Charter Revision Begin? 
And What Changes Do They Want to Make?

The Citizen Budget Commission met in 2022 at the directive of Eric Adams. They discussed changes to the City’s land use policy laws via a City Charter Revision, to make development easier, faster and cheaper for the real estate industry.  Below are key ideas presented.

• Remove Community Boards “CBs” from the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure “ULURP” Process.
• Rationale: CBs are not very informed! Eliminate 2 months from the 7-month ULURP process.
• Result: Elimination of Pulpit Power and oversight by the community.
• Allow the Borough President to Vote for the CB.
• Rationale: The Borough President appoints the board members and thus, he/she can speak for them.
• Result: Borough Presidents will not listen to the community. (See above Borough President Reynoso’s public testimony.)

• Place Community Board’s Input Before the ULURP Process.
• Rationale: Eliminate the need for them to conduct hearings and cast a vote. They will have input before an application is certified. Eliminates 2 months from the 7-month ULURP process.
• Result:  CBs will not be informed or have any say over final decision, and lose Pulpit Power.

• Eliminate City Council Deference
• Rationale: Eliminate “Not in My Backyard” In certain districts.
• Result: Almost all rezoning applications will be approved, everywhere, with very no power to negotiate for better terms etc.

What Can You Do?

• Share This Email and Video.
• Attend the Mayor’s City Charter Revision Hearings
• First City Charter Hearing: Tues. Feb. 11, 2025 in Brooklyn 5 – 8pm

◦ Fire Department of the City of New York Headquarters, Robert O. Lowery Auditorium, 9 Metrotech Center (enter via courtyard off Flatbush Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11201

• Educate, Educate, Educate  People on Voting Practices and on the City Charter Reforms.

• Ask Voters to Vote No on Eric Adams’ City Charter Reform in November of 2025.