I've thought about that a lot, since I've been involved in land use in multiple Queens community boards.
At its worst, the process delays much-needed development and housing, while giving disproportionate power to a small group of vocal opponents who often represent status-quo interests.
At its best, the process incorporates diverse perspectives and ensures that local community concerns are heard, technical considerations are evaluated, environmental impacts are assessed, outcomes are more balanced and thoroughly vetted, and neighborhood-level impacts are considered.
Ultimately, since the community board recommendation is advisory and elected officials make the final decision anyway, I don't mind the ULURP process in letting communities respond to proposals. It's actually the drawn out 17-month process in advance of ULURP that claims to be joint planning but is more of an illusion of democratic participation that I think should have been shortened.
Do you think that this system of reviews produces better outcomes than allowing elected officials to simply rezone a neighborhood?
I've thought about that a lot, since I've been involved in land use in multiple Queens community boards.
At its worst, the process delays much-needed development and housing, while giving disproportionate power to a small group of vocal opponents who often represent status-quo interests.
At its best, the process incorporates diverse perspectives and ensures that local community concerns are heard, technical considerations are evaluated, environmental impacts are assessed, outcomes are more balanced and thoroughly vetted, and neighborhood-level impacts are considered.
Ultimately, since the community board recommendation is advisory and elected officials make the final decision anyway, I don't mind the ULURP process in letting communities respond to proposals. It's actually the drawn out 17-month process in advance of ULURP that claims to be joint planning but is more of an illusion of democratic participation that I think should have been shortened.