New Yorkers approved five proposed amendments to the city charter in a referendum during Tuesday’s election, including a reform meant to speed up road projects and projects that improve street safety. Every measure won more than 60 percent support and more than 1 million “yes” votes. According to the mayor’s office, the new rules could cut the time needed to prepare and approve some projects by at least 33 percent.
One of the approved proposals simplifies procedures for building bike lanes, bus lanes and infrastructure that allows outdoor dining. The changes will let the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) start selected projects more quickly and, in certain cases, treat them as urgent based on safety data. Until now, some projects required coordination among multiple agencies and additional public hearings. The new rules are intended to reduce repeated administrative steps while keeping community consultation for larger projects.
Opponents of the reform, however, fear it will limit the public’s ability to influence decisions before work begins. Laura Rothrock, president of the Long Island City Partnership, an organization representing business owners and residents in Queens, warned that information about projects may reach communities too late.
“We are concerned that implementation will mean we are not notified until the markings are already on the road and the project is so far along that it will be hard to change,” she said. Under the new rules, local officials and community boards are to be kept informed about the progress of projects.
Voters also backed changes to the sale, lease and development of some city-owned property. The new procedures will allow community boards and borough presidents to review projects at the same time, instead of in successive stages. In selected cases, final authority to approve transactions will go to the City Planning Commission rather than the City Council.
The amendments, drafted by a charter revision commission appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are to take effect after the election results are officially certified, which is expected by Dec. 15.
Editor: JŁ
Source: Nowy Dziennik
