Northeast Queens residents worry fast-track rezonings will skip the City Council
At a Flushing town hall, Borough President Donovan Richards spoke to fears about the Affordable Housing Fast Track, which shortens housing reviews in five Queens districts starting January 2027.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards tried to ease concerns about the city’s Affordable Housing Fast Track at an Oct. 13 town hall for Community District 11 residents, held at the East Flushing Library.
Voters approved the fast track as a City Charter amendment in November 2025, and it takes effect in January 2027. It covers the 12 community districts that have historically built the least affordable housing. Queens accounts for five of them: districts 4 and 5, 10 and 11, and 13. District 11 includes parts of Auburndale, Bayside and Douglaston.
How the Affordable Housing Fast Track works
Rezonings now go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP. That seven-month process brings in the affected community boards and the borough president, then the planning commission, with the Council having the final review. Starting in January 2027, qualifying rezonings in those 12 districts that add affordable housing will get a 90-day public review instead, about four months faster.
Community boards and the borough president will still review projects, but at the same time instead of one after the other. The City Planning Commission keeps its role. The City Council is cut out of the process entirely. Environmental review rules and landmark protections do not change.
Flushing residents raise concerns about losing a veto
During the question-and-answer period, several speakers said the district could lose its ability to stop major developments. With the Council out of the process, they said, local council members could no longer veto unpopular projects. They also pointed out that the mayor appoints many members of the City Planning Commission.
Richards replied that he still has his own appointee on the commission. He recently named Costa Constantinides, CEO of the Variety Boys and Girls Club, as the Queens representative. Richards said his office would stay in close contact with Constantinides about any Queens projects on the fast track. He added that his office can still hold its own public hearings and raise objections before a proposal reaches the commission.
“Just as we do with any affordable housing proposals that come before us, we want to be thoughtful,” Richards said.
Quick answers
When does the Affordable Housing Fast Track start?
It takes effect in January 2027, after voters approved it as a City Charter amendment in November 2025.
Which Queens districts are on the fast track?
Five Queens districts are among the 12: numbers 4, 5, 10, 11 and 13. District 11 includes parts of Auburndale, Bayside and Douglaston.
Does the City Council vote on fast-track rezonings?
No. Community boards, the borough president and the City Planning Commission still review them, but the City Council is left out.
