A total of six ballot proposals, including one that would effectively eliminate the City Council’s approval process for affordable housing development, will be placed on the New York City general election next month on the 4th.
The 2025 ballot initiatives that have already been printed on the New York City general election ballot and are only awaiting a vote include five city-wide and one statewide initiative. According to the New York City proposals, the first is the Affordable Housing Development Streamlining Proposal, which eliminates the New York City Council’s approval process and establishes a fast-track to expedite development.
The fast-track is centered around a review process for affordable housing and infrastructure projects, streamlined expedited land use reviews, and the establishment of an appeals board for denials and modifications to affordable housing applications.
However, the New York City Council has expressed strong opposition to this. City Council President Adrianne Adams criticized the mayor’s proposal, saying it was a solution to the city’s housing crisis, but it was actually a ploy to take away voters’ power.
“If this proposal passes, the City Council will lose its authority to approve new housing developments in the city,” she said.
Other New York City initiatives include the creation of digital city maps for each borough to modernize city operations and the move of New York City elections to even-numbered years (the presidential election year). The proposed change to even-numbered years for New York City elections (including mayoral, city advocate, city comptroller, borough president, and city council) is attracting attention as a measure designed to increase voter turnout.
However, even if the proposed change to the New York City election year was to pass, the actual election year change would require an amendment to the New York State Constitution. Therefore, even if the proposed change passes in this year’s general election, it will require additional constitutional amendment procedures by the State Legislature.
Meanwhile, a statewide initiative would allow the development of an Olympic sports complex within the Essex County Forest Preserve (Adirondacks). If approved by a majority of voters, this would allow the construction of new ski courses (including Nordic and biathlon courses).