Council also passed legislation to lift the requirement that children be present during homeless shelter intake process

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to approve the Bronx Metro-North Stations rezoning, which will add approximately 7,000 new residential housing units and make historic infrastructure and community investments in the surrounding East Bronx neighborhoods of Parkchester, Van Nest, and Morris Park with forthcoming Metro-North Stations. The plan leverages the new Metro-North service to promote transit-oriented development amidst the city’s housing crisis. It will advance economic growth, facilitate the development of housing, including affordable housing, as well secure investment in the public realm around stations to improve accessibility, pedestrian safety and quality of life.

The Council also passed legislation to remove the requirement for children to be present during the family homeless shelter intake process. Historically, families with children seeking shelter were required to have all family members, including children, present when they applied for shelter at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) PATH Intake facility. PATH processes applications during normal business hours, which coincides with school hours and may disrupt a child’s learning. This legislation ensures that DHS provides an option for children to join remotely.

“Confronting our city’s housing and affordability crisis requires creating more homes for New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The opening of new Metro-North stations in the East Bronx presents a unique opportunity to develop new housing and homeownership opportunities, while delivering critical infrastructure investments that benefit surrounding neighborhoods for generations. This historic neighborhood rezoning, coupled with nearly $500 million for local infrastructure improvements that the Council secured, will have a lasting positive impact for the residents of the Bronx and our entire city. I thank Majority Leader Farías, Land Use Chair Salamanca, Zoning and Franchises Chair Riley, and Council Member Marmorato for their leadership to get this major rezoning plan across the finish line, and Mayor Adams’ administration for its partnership.”

Land Use

Bronx Metro-North Stations Rezoning – The Council secured a historic commitment of infrastructure and community investments from the Administration alongside the first neighborhood rezoning since 2021. It will add approximately 7,000 new residential units in transit-oriented development amidst a housing crisis, revitalize the local economy, and activate key corridors surrounding forthcoming Metro-North stations to be built in the East Bronx. These land use changes will be supported by a capital commitment package totaling approximately $500 million, including approximately $119 million for renovations and upgrades to local parks and open space, approximately $12 million for school improvements, approximately $189 million for street improvements such as lighting, new sidewalks, crossing, and road reconstruction on multiple major corridors, approximately $170 million in sewer improvements, water line repairs, catch basin upgrades, and other related DEP investments, and $10 million allocated for upgrades to the 49th Precinct station.

500 Kent Avenue – A private application to facilitate the development of a new 23-story commercial building with ground floor retail and waterfront public access in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, in Council Member Lincoln Restler’s district.

712 Myrtle Avenue – A private application to facilitate the construction of a 9-story mixed-use building with approximately 62 units, including 15 permanently affordable units, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, in Council Member Lincoln Restler’s district.

3033 Avenue V Rezoning – A private application to facilitate a new 9-story mixed-use development, including ground floor retail and approximately 109 housing units, 27 of which are affordable, in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, in Council Member Mercedes Narcisse’s district.

197 Berry Street Rezoning – A private application to reduce existing development parking requirements from 142 accessory parking spaces to 42, in order to convert existing parking spaces to a self-storage facility with 300 self-storage units in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, in Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez’s district. The remaining 42 parking spaces would remain accessory to the residential building.

Wings & Seafood Sidewalk Cafe – A disapproval of an application for a revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe in Council Member Robert Holden’s district. 

Arthur Kill Terminal – A private application, including a zoning text amendment, landfill action, special permit, and city map change to facilitate the development of a maritime industrial site in Staten Island, just south of the Outerbridge Crossing, in Minority Leader Joseph Borelli’s district. The new marine terminal will be used for the staging, assembly, and pre-commissioning of wind turbine generators, towers, and other components necessary to support the construction of offshore wind farm facilities.

Prince’s Point – A private application to facilitate the construction of new mapped streets and the development of 108 detached single-family homes in the Prince’s Bay neighborhood of Staten Island in Minority Leader Borelli’s district. Additionally, the Department of City Planning is seeking a Zoning Text Amendment to correct for the removal of a technical provision found in the Special South Richmond Development District (SSRDD).

Improving the Shelter Intake Process for Families with Children

Introduction 123-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would prohibit DHS from requiring children to be present in person at an intake facility when their family applies or reapplies for placement at a homeless shelter. There is an exception for when DHS requests to remotely view a child and is unable to do so within 24 hours, or when a child has not checked in to their assigned shelter by the shelter’s curfew on the day following placement. 

“Families experiencing homelessness are already in stressful, difficult situations and we should not add any unnecessary burden when they choose to seek shelter,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. “I know what it’s like to bring your children to an intake center and wait hours for a shelter placement as I did with my one-year-old long ago. Therefore, I’m proud that we are passing Int. 123, which will no longer force parents to have their children physically present with them as they apply for shelter. This will prevent disruptions to schooling and add a bit of relief for families.”

Introduction 460-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandra Ung, would require the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to report on the feasibility of contracting with community-based organizations to accept and process applications for shelter intake for families with children. The commissioner of homeless services would be required to deliver the report to the Mayor and Council no later than one year after this bill goes into effect. 

“For too long, families have been forced to navigate a system that asks them to travel miles with young children, frequently missing work or school, just to reach the PATH intake center in the Bronx,” said Council Member Sandra Ung. “But we know that the first stop for many families in crisis is not PATH, but their local community organizations. These community-based organizations are trusted, they are present where families live, and they are already doing much of the work. They should be empowered to do even more.

Ung continued, “By requiring the Department of Homeless Services to study the feasibility of partnering with these local nonprofits to process shelter intake applications, we are taking a common-sense approach to serving homeless families where they are, rather than making them come to us. I want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams for her leadership and support on this issue, and to my City Council colleagues who voted today to support some of our city’s most vulnerable families.”

Assessing New York City’s Cycling Activity to Make Data Driven Improvements

Introduction 745-A, sponsored by Majority Leader Amanda Farías, would require the Department of Transportation to publish information on its website about bicycle and micromobility ridership in the City, as well as a description of the projects it has undertaken to enhance the safety and movement of cyclists and other micromobility users on the streets and bridges under its jurisdiction. This bill will provide a transparent, data-driven perspective into the work of the Department to keep New Yorkers and all street users safe. The website will be updated monthly when data is available, and at least once per year. 

“My legislation turns our vision of safe, connected bike routes into a data-driven standard, ensuring New York City continues to improve its transit infrastructure,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “This initiative supports our city’s status as a global transit leader and makes cycling safer and more accessible for all, including delivery workers, those who commute on their bike, and those who bike recreationally. With nearly a million New Yorkers cycling regularly, this legislation reinforces our commitment to transit safety and innovation.’

Supporting Student Journalism in Every New York City Public High School

Resolution 372, co-sponsored by Council Member Rita Joseph, calls on the New York City Department of Education to provide support for a student newspaper at every high school.

A 2022 research report by Baruch College on newspaper prevalence among New York City public high schools found that only 26.9% of non-charter public high schools have a student newspaper. The report also found that 100% of NYC’s specialized high schools have newspapers, compared to only 7% of 100 surveyed non-charter public high schools with the highest poverty rates. Student journalism advocates assert that student journalism programs are essential to helping students develop writing skills, build community, hold school leaders accountable, and develop a more racially and socioeconomically representative pipeline of professional journalists.

“The passage of this resolution is a critical step in ensuring that every student in New York City has the opportunity to develop essential communication skills through the powerful medium of journalism,” said Council Member Rita Joseph. “Supporting a student newspaper in every high school is not just about encouraging writing; it’s about fostering a space where young people can explore their identities, challenge the status quo, share their stories and uplift the voices of their peers. Expanding access to media and communications is essential in a city as diverse as ours. As a forever educator I know firsthand that our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, and their stories, perspectives, and experiences deserve to be heard. By establishing student newspapers in all our high schools, we are creating platforms for them to share their unique viewpoints, engage with critical issues, and reflect the rich tapestry of our communities.”

Finance

A transparency resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, amending an existing 40-year Article V tax exemption for one rent-stabilized buildings in Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala’s district. 

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, renewing an existing 40-year Article V tax exemption for the preservation of one rent-stabilized building in Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala’s district. 

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article XI tax exemption for the preservation of one rent-stabilized building in Council Member Yusef Salaam’s district. 

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article XI tax exemption for the preservation of one rent-stabilized senior building in Council Member Yusef Salaam’s district.

Appointments

The City Council’s Manhattan Delegation, Bronx Delegation, and Queens Delegation approved nominees for appointments to the Department for the Aging Advisory Council. The appointees include:

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