General Election
New York CityProposal 3
Streets, city property and offices
One vote covers three subjects: fewer required steps before street projects, sales and leases of small city-owned lots without a City Council vote, and city office deals without Council or City Planning Commission approval.
What changes
5 provisionsStreet projects
1Transportation projects
Consulted agencies need involve only their heads, so the Fire Department need not confer with firehouses, and a missed consultation no longer invalidates a project. The transportation commissioner can order immediate work on finding a risk of significant injury, based on crash rates or other safety factors; work can then start before the community board and local elected officials are notified.
Transportation projects
Consulted agencies need involve only their heads, so the Fire Department need not confer with firehouses, and a missed consultation no longer invalidates a project. The transportation commissioner can order immediate work on finding a risk of significant injury, based on crash rates or other safety factors; work can then start before the community board and local elected officials are notified.
Today
Before a , the Transportation Department must notify local officials and the community board, present to the board on request, and consult other agencies; the Fire Department also confers with affected firehouses. Local law allows an earlier start when immediate action is needed for safety.
What stays in place
Consultation is still required, and after an immediate start the commissioner must make “best efforts to promptly” give the notices and presentations.
When: Upon certification of voter approval
City property
2Expedited property review
Lots of 10,000 square feet or less that are not , and from city-owned landmark sites, can use instead, which ends with a decision. The City Council no longer votes on these deals.
Expedited property review
Lots of 10,000 square feet or less that are not , and from city-owned landmark sites, can use instead, which ends with a decision. The City Council no longer votes on these deals.
Today
Most city property sales and leases go through , a seven-month review ending in City Planning Commission and City Council votes.
What stays in place
Projects that may have significant environmental impacts, including any needing an , stay in the longer review.
When: Upon certification of voter approval
3Sales to neighboring owners
Make that authority permanent.
Sales to neighboring owners
Make that authority permanent.
Today
The City’s authority to sell certain unbuildable lots directly to neighboring owners, without an auction, expires in 2030.
What stays in place
Appraisal, a mayoral finding, public hearing and applicable land-use review requirements remain.
When: December 31, 2030
4Additional hearing after a delay
Remove that additional hearing requirement.
Additional hearing after a delay
Remove that additional hearing requirement.
Today
If more than two years pass between final approval of a property deal and the signed agreement, another hearing is required.
What stays in place
Other applicable acquisition and procedures continue.
When: Upon certification of voter approval
Office space
5Acquiring office space
The commissioner decides whether to buy, lease or otherwise acquire office space or whole office buildings, on finding it in the city’s best interests. No Planning Commission or Council approval, and no public hearing, is required.
Acquiring office space
The commissioner decides whether to buy, lease or otherwise acquire office space or whole office buildings, on finding it in the city’s best interests. No Planning Commission or Council approval, and no public hearing, is required.
Today
City office acquisitions, including leases, need a hearing and vote, and the City Council can disapprove them by a two-thirds vote.
What stays in place
Before acquiring, the commissioner files a notice of intent with the community board, Council member and borough president; the Council and Comptroller get a copy afterward.
When: Upon certification of voter approval