One of the more controversial items in New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal is her requirement that local municipalities create very specific housing in certain areas. While the goals are lofty, they go against the tradition of “home rule” in the state, in which local governments get to decide what is best for their communities through local zoning laws. Rockland Assemblyman John McGowan says while the goal of building new homes sounds good, the idea of the state coming in and superseding local planning isn’t the way to go…
Another problem is Rockland’s lack of full-service mass transit, making the types of communities the governor wants built, extremely difficult. That notwithstanding, Hochul said her goal is to build 800,000 new homes in the state over the next decade…
The plan would improve local infrastructure to support new development, and create a new Housing Planning Office to help local governments meet their goals.