Submission statement: New York State (pushed by Governor Hochul and the state senate, and supported by New York Mayor Mamdani) is working on legislation to exempt certain buildings from environmental reviews. This is relevant to this sub’s interests in deregulation, building housing and YIMBYism.
> SEQR has been on the books in New York since 1975. The landmark environmental-protection law requires either the state or a local government to determine if a project or other action could have a potential effect on the environment. If it could, then it’s subject to the lengthy review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement.
> But the law’s definition of “environment” is broad, accounting not only for the land, air and water but also “objects of historic or aesthetic significance,” existing population patterns and “neighborhood character,” among other things. Critics of the current law say it leads to delays as well as lawsuits, which add to the cost of the overall project.
> Hochul’s initial proposal would exempt housing projects of up to 250 units in New York City, or up to 500 units in mid-to-high-density areas, from the lengthy environmental review. Outside the city, it would apply to projects up to 100 units on “previously disturbed land,” meaning it already has buildings, “maintained lawns,” or had been previously developed. Projects would still be subject to applicable water and air permits, zoning laws and other local requirements. […]
> The state Senate, meanwhile, backed a similar measure in its one-house state budget proposal last month. But there are key differences. The legislative proposal is focused entirely on housing — not the additional infrastructure projects — and included different limits on housing units, including 1,000 units in New York City.
Worth-Jicama3936 on
Thank Christ. You know what pollutes more than new buildings? Old, less energy efficient buildings and buildings that are further out and requires people to commute to work.
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Submission statement: New York State (pushed by Governor Hochul and the state senate, and supported by New York Mayor Mamdani) is working on legislation to exempt certain buildings from environmental reviews. This is relevant to this sub’s interests in deregulation, building housing and YIMBYism.
> SEQR has been on the books in New York since 1975. The landmark environmental-protection law requires either the state or a local government to determine if a project or other action could have a potential effect on the environment. If it could, then it’s subject to the lengthy review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement.
> But the law’s definition of “environment” is broad, accounting not only for the land, air and water but also “objects of historic or aesthetic significance,” existing population patterns and “neighborhood character,” among other things. Critics of the current law say it leads to delays as well as lawsuits, which add to the cost of the overall project.
> Hochul’s initial proposal would exempt housing projects of up to 250 units in New York City, or up to 500 units in mid-to-high-density areas, from the lengthy environmental review. Outside the city, it would apply to projects up to 100 units on “previously disturbed land,” meaning it already has buildings, “maintained lawns,” or had been previously developed. Projects would still be subject to applicable water and air permits, zoning laws and other local requirements. […]
> The state Senate, meanwhile, backed a similar measure in its one-house state budget proposal last month. But there are key differences. The legislative proposal is focused entirely on housing — not the additional infrastructure projects — and included different limits on housing units, including 1,000 units in New York City.
Thank Christ. You know what pollutes more than new buildings? Old, less energy efficient buildings and buildings that are further out and requires people to commute to work.