Great News on New York State Assembly Redistricting!
Several months ago, the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (NYS IRC) released a proposed map for the New York State Assembly. In that map, most of our constituents north of East 42nd Street were proposed to be redistricted to a majority-Queens New York State Assembly District.
At its January 9th meeting, the Budget & Governmental Affairs Committee passed a resolution opposing the attempt to place parts of our East Side community within a Queens Assembly District. The resolution was ratified by our Full Board two days later, and we submitted the resolution as testimony to the NYS IRC. You can find the resolution here.
After much testimony (including from CB6) and numerous public hearings, the NYS IRC voted on, and approved, a map that keeps all residents of our district in all-Manhattan Assembly Districts. This map was passed by both houses of the New York State Legislature, and signed by Governor Hochul last week! We are grateful that the NYS IRC changed district boundaries so that all of Manhattan Community District 6 is included in New York State Assembly Districts, and feel that this change is to the benefit of you all, our constituents. And, most of all, we thank our constituents for being advocates as well, and for testifying at hearings about the proposed redistricting.
You can find the approved NYS IRC map here.
Mayor Seeks to Modernize NYC’s Zoning Rules
The Mayor’s City of Yes initiative seeks to modernize and rationalize zoning rules to help the City recover more quickly from the pandemic, to create a greener city, to support small business growth, and to incentivize the creation of housing, at all levels, in all New York City neighborhoods. There are three proposed zoning text amendments that would be part of this initiative:
Zoning for Carbon Neutrality aims to modernize the zoning regulations in support of the City’s climate goals. The changes would focus on supporting a renewable energy grid, making our buildings clean and efficient, support for electric vehicle charging and micro-mobility options, and reducing waste and storm water.
Zoning for Economic Opportunity is focused on providing small businesses with the flexibility needed to for them to change and grow, especially as the city recovers from COVID-19. The proposals would remove unnecessary and outdated limitations on small businesses and ensure that our storefronts are occupied, and our neighborhoods remain lively spaces.
Zoning for Housing Opportunity is a direct response to our City’s housing crisis. This seeks to ensure that every neighborhood does its part to help meet housing needs and provide equitable access to housing for all New Yorkers.
To learn more about City of Yes, visit DCP’s website here. Flyers describing the proposals are directly available here.
CB6 passed a resolution on the proposed text amendments at its January committee meeting, and the resolution was ratified at its February 2023 Full Board meeting. You can find the resolution here.
Zoning for Carbon Neutrality is now in the public review process. It entered public review on April 24th, and will be before CB6 at the May 22nd meeting of the Land Use & Waterfront Committee. The text amendment was also presented to the New York City Planning Commission on April 24th; you can view the video with the presentation here.
Upcoming Meetings
Our upcoming meetings in the next several days include a Budget & Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on Monday, our monthly Full Board meeting on Wednesday, and a Health & Human Services Committee meeting on Thursday.
Additionally, on Monday, May 15th, the operator from the proposed homeless shelter at East 39th Street and Lexington Avenue will be in attendance at our Housing & Homelessness Committee to answer questions from the committee and the community.
You can find information on these meetings and others by visiting the CB6 website, which you can do by clicking on the button below. Please make sure to check our website regularly, as meeting agendas are subject to change.
CB6 Office Closure this Month
The CB6 office will be closed on Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day.
Even though the CB6 office is closed on that day, 311 will still be available. Additionally, if you have a service request issue, you can still reach out to help@cbsix.org and we will follow up with you after our office reopens.
Alternate Side Parking will also be suspended on May 29th. You also won’t need to feed the meter on Memorial Day.
Please check the Department of Sanitation’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram), their press release page, or 311 for more information on trash and recycling collection as we get closer to Memorial Day.
CB 6 Gets things Done
CB6 heard from a constituent who was submitting claims for unemployment but was not receiving a single payment. As this constituent’s bills were stacking up and needed unemployment payments in order to make ends meet, the individual was desperate for answers, and most importantly, payments.
When CB6 heard about this situation, we reached out to the New York State Department of Labor (DOL), as they are responsible for unemployment benefits in New York State. Thanks to our outreach to DOL, the agency realized that the constituent got lost in the system, and that they had not received payments yet. As a result, not only did they start getting unemployment payments, but they also got back pay for the previously missing payments! These payments give the constituent additional financial resources to help pay bills and make ends meet.
CB6 is here to help. If you need help with a service request issue, please fill out our Get Help form email help@cbsix.org, or call (212) 319-3750.
Upcoming Rent Guidelines Board Public Hearings
The New York City Rent Guidelines Board will hold several public hearings and meetings on the proposed rent guidelines for the period of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. Following those hearings and meetings, the Board is scheduled to meet on June 21, 2023, to adopt final rent guidelines. You can find information on the hearings and meetings, as well as how to submit testimony, on the Rent Guidelines Board website. You can also find a summary of proposed guidelines on the Rent Guidelines Board website.
Upcoming Medicare Orientation Sessions
Persons who are soon to be Medicare recipients can join the NYC Department for the Aging’s Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP) for a free Medicare Orientation session. The class includes information on Medicare Part A and Part B, Medigap/Medicare Supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D, EPIC and the Medicare Savings Programs.
You can register for one of the following sessions by clicking on the link corresponding with the session:
Community Updates
- Affordable Housing Opportunity in Our Neighborhood: There is a new affordable housing opportunity at 508 Third Avenue! This housing development, which is in our district, will offer 50% of its affordable housing units to residents of Manhattan Community District 6. However, to be eligible, you need to fall within the income brackets listed in this opportunity. Learn more about the affordable housing opportunity through this flyer, and apply for the opportunity through NYC Housing Connect.
- New “Loading Feedback” Web Portal: The NYC Department of Transportation has launched a new web portal for reporting areas where double-parking and blocked bike lanes commonly occur due to vehicle loading and unloading.
- Apply for other affordable rental and homeownership opportunities through NYC Housing Connect
Temporary Water Bill Amnesty
- As New York City recovers from the pandemic, DEP is offering this limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all delinquent customers. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer.
- To confirm your eligibility, see your available options and receive amnesty immediately, use the Amnesty Look Up Tool.
- If your remaining delinquent balance is greater than $500, you will be required to enter into a new payment agreement with DEP upon request.
- Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this one-time amnesty program. The deadline has been extended to May 31st.
- For questions or concerns, please see their FAQ’s.
Click on the image above for more information.
Council Member Carlina Rivera’s office is looking for volunteers to assist with surveying the tree beds in Council District 2! Some of the questions will be: whether the tree is there, concerns about health, is there a tree guard, are there rat burrows, is there litter and what type, and is there signage. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here or email the council member’s office by clicking on the image above. Please contact Eddie Amador from Council Member Rivera’s office at eamador@council.nyc.gov with any questions.
Check Out the CB6 Website!
Your one-stop-shop for all things CB6: including board resolutions, YouTube videos of past meetings, a database of meeting minutes, information on streetwork notices in the district, and more! Visit our website by clicking on the button below.
