New Yorkers are likely to vote on several land-use ballot measures that would limit council members’ local power, but council members are fighting to block the proposals.
A Charter Revision Commission empaneled by Mayor Eric Adams is preparing to advance five ballot proposals: four that would transform the housing development process by fast-tracking affordable housing and limiting councilmembers’ unofficial veto power on local developments (known as “member deference”), and a fifth that would attempt to shift municipal elections to even-numbered years in line with federal races.