Council voted to expand trash containerization and improve public safety by increasing sidewalk lighting

Day after Veterans Day, Council expands property tax exemption to Cold War veterans

City Hall – Today, the New York City Council passed the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, which is the fifth neighborhood rezoning to be approved by the Council over the last two years, and the largest in over two decades. Through the Council’s direct negotiating role in the land use process, the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan is accompanied by historic community investments for Long Island City, including major investments for new public schools. The secured investments also include support for local public housing developments, open space and waterfront esplanade access, transportation and public realm improvements, and new and renovated parks. The Council also approved legislation to expand trash containerization, strengthen public safety with increased sidewalk lighting, and include Cold War veterans in the property tax exemption for veterans.

“To confront the city’s housing crisis, the Council is proud to once again advance another historic neighborhood rezoning in Queens, just weeks apart,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This plan, shaped and strengthened by community input and the Council’s role in land use negotiations, delivers nearly 15,000 new homes alongside significant investments to improve neighborhood parks, schools, and neighborhood essentials. The level of housing affordability and funding commitments, including for public housing residents, would not have been possible without the Council’s voting power on behalf of communities in the land use process. I thank my Council colleagues for their partnership and Council Member Won for her leadership throughout the process to deliver an outstanding plan for her district, Queens, and our entire city.”

OneLIC:

The OneLIC Neighborhood Plan is the fifth neighborhood rezoning to be approved by the Council over the last two years, and the largest in over two decades. It will rezone approximately 54 blocks in Long Island City, Queens, to facilitate the creation of nearly 15,000 new homes, including 4,350 permanently affordable homes through the mapping of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) affordability requirements and the development of publicly owned sites. The plan will also deliver 3.8 million square feet of commercial, community facility, and light industrial space in Council Member Julie Won’s district.

“Today’s vote passing the OneLIC Plan brings us closer to an integrated Long Island City,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Over the last three decades, the City has allowed developers to dictate what is built in our neighborhood. These past two years, thousands of residents came together to envision our future. Through our advocacy, persistent community engagement, and disciplined negotiations, we secured historic investments in LIC to fund a connected waterfront, a restored park underneath the Queensboro Bridge, over 1,300 new school seats, sewage and plumbing infrastructure, NYCHA investments, and so much more—all that is long overdue. Finally, we will be one Long Island City, for current and future residents.”

Strengthening Public Safety with Increased Pedestrian Lighting

As part of its portfolio, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for managing thousands of miles of streets and roadways, including over 315,000 streetlights across the city. Increased pedestrian lighting has been shown to contribute to safer, healthier communities. A 2016 study found additional lighting in NYCHA developments reduced nighttime crime by nearly 40% and had a positive economic impact on communities.

Introduction 79-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would require DOT to install pedestrian lighting fixtures on at least 300 commercial corridors per year. This bill would also require DOT to submit an annual report on completed installations.

“Our streetscape lighting is designed primarily for the roadway, not for the sidewalk. But most New Yorkers don’t drive—we walk,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Adding more lighting to our sidewalks enhances safety for all of us. Adequate lighting not only improves our public safety, but it also encourages more New Yorkers to walk our streets, which is great for local businesses.”

Studying the Future of Burials on Hart Island

For over a century, Hart Island has served as a public burial ground for unclaimed bodies and New Yorkers who cannot afford funeral arrangements. Given the impacts of climate erosion and the over one million people buried on the Island, there have been public concerns about the Island’s future burial capacity. A 2022 study commissioned by the City found that the remaining suitable space on the Island allows for 8-12 years of its continued use as a burial space under current practices.

Introduction 1408-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would require the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS), in collaboration with the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation and any other relevant city agency, to conduct a study to analyze Hart Island’s capacity for future public burials. The study would solicit input from family members of those buried at Hart Island, and agencies would be required to develop recommendations and implement any changes to procedures. These findings and recommendations would be submitted to the Mayor and the Council and published online.

“Hart Island holds a special place in New York City history and in the hearts of New Yorkers whose loved ones rest there,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. “Climate change and the Island’s century long use as a burial site has placed its future capacity to continue serving our communities in jeopardy. My hope is that this bill will help pave a road forward for Hart Island to maintain its purpose for years to come while respecting the wishes of family members of those buried there.”

Establishing Rules for Containerization Program

Introduction 1123-B, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson, would authorize the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to impose an annual fee for costs related to the installation and maintenance of on-street containers for trash, recycling, and organic waste. The fee would be capped at $55 per unit and only be imposed on buildings with 10 or more units that have received an on-street container from DSNY. The fee would be waived for Mitchell-Lama buildings, buildings owned by Housing Development Fund Corporations (HDFCs), 100% affordable buildings, and buildings where at least half the units are rent regulated.

“Every New Yorker deserves to walk down clean, safe streets free from mountains of trash and the rats they attract,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “This bill modernizes how our city manages trash, in turn reducing rodent populations and improving public health. The RAT Act is about bringing common-sense sanitation practices to every borough and ensuring New York City’s streets reflect the pride we have in our city.”

Strengthening Permit Requirements for Home Improvement Contractors

Introduction 1193-A, sponsored by Council Member Yusef Salaam, would require home improvement contractors to disclose to owners which, if any, permits are required to perform work. The bill would also require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to conduct an education campaign to raise awareness of these new requirements and would require the Department of Buildings (DOB) to conduct an education campaign on the watch list of contractors who have performed work without required permits.

“Int. 1193-A ensures that homeowners are no longer left in the dark when it comes to home renovations,” said Council Member Yusef Salaam. “By requiring transparency from contractors and prioritizing public education, we’re protecting New Yorkers’ investments, their safety, and their trust. This is about fairness, accountability, and giving families the confidence that their homes are being built the right way.”

Reforming Business Licensing Laws

Introduction 1308-A, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, would reform many of the city’s business licensing laws, including merging electronics store and the electronic or home appliance service dealer licenses and removing licensing requirements for individual locksmiths and manufacturers of locks.

“This omnibus legislation makes New York City more welcoming to small businesses and entrepreneurs, reflecting a comprehensive effort to modernize our business licensing framework for the needs of a 21st-century economy,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “I want to thank Speaker Adams for advancing this important bill, which strengthens consumer protections by enhancing the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s ability to receive and address complaints. Streamlining and simplifying our licensing laws is not only smart governance but also a meaningful investment in our city’s economic future that reduces unnecessary red tape, eliminates duplicative processes, and helps businesses thrive without burdensome fees.”

Increasing Transparency of Community Boards, Borough Boards, and Advisory Bodies

Introduction 1250-A, sponsored by Council Member David Carr, would require every community board, borough board, or advisory body to publish its bylaws on its own or other city-owned websites. They would also be required to update published bylaws no later than two weeks after making any changes to them.

“The public and new members of our boards are often not as familiar with the machinery of institutions that are supposed to be closest to them,” said Council Member David Carr. “This bill will ensure that they can navigate the local process without being kept in the dark and ensure continuity of knowledge in advance of longtime community representatives being term-limited in 2027 and 2028. I want to thank Governmental Operations Chair Lincoln Restler for his passion and commitment to transparency and openness in government, which made him the perfect partner in the passage of Intro 1250.”

Designating January 15 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in NYC

Resolution 1134, sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, would declare January 15 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in New York City in recognition of the sorority’s enduring service, scholarship, and positive impact on families and communities.

“As a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, initiated at Spelman College, I am delighted to co-sponsor a resolution designating January 15th annually as Alpha Kapa Alpha Day in New York City,” said Speaker Adams. “Being a member of the first Sorority for college-educated Black women has been pivotal in shaping my path – particularly in becoming the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council, leading a historic first women-majority Council body. The tenets of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, have empowered my life’s journey by breaking barriers and blazing trails, just as it has for generations of women before me. I am profoundly honored to buttress the perpetual recognition of my historic Sisterhood.”

Declaring the first Monday of November as Black Solidarity Day in NYC

Resolution 1133, sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, would declare the first Monday of November as Black Solidarity Day in New York City. Dr. Carlos Russell, a leading activist, created the first Black Solidarity Day on November 3, 1969, which drew thousands of New Yorkers to protest, in Russell’s words, “against the intensifying repression that threatens the very existence of Black people in America.”

“As the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council, it is my honor to co-sponsor a resolution designating the first Monday of November as Black Solidarity Day in New York City,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Black Solidarity Day was created in 1969 for people of the African diaspora to protest repression, withhold the power of the purse, and chart the path to racial and economic equity. 56 years later, we remain committed to building on the progress we have achieved together to secure a more equitable and just world for all. I thank my Council colleagues for their support in cementing this day in our city’s history.”

Land Use:

78-01 Queens Boulevard Rezoning – will facilitate the development of a new 13-story, mixed-use development with approximately 314 homes, 79 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH Option 1, and ground floor commercial and community facility space in Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s district. The Council will be modifying this application to remove neighboring active industrial businesses from the rezoning area.

AAMUP Follow-Up – a text amendment to the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, passed by the Council this past May, to modify the non-residential zoning incentive to limit a portion of the incentive area to light industrial, arts, and selected community facility uses for 7 blocks within the AAMUP rezoning in Council Member Crystal Hudson’s district.

58 Nixon Court Rezoning – will facilitate the development of a new eight-story, mixed-use building with 19 homes in Council Member Justin Brannan’s district. Between four and six of the units will be permanently affordable under MIH, and the rezoning will include ground floor retail space.

464 Ovington Court Rezoning – will facilitate the development of a new eight-story residential building with 40 homes in Council Member Justin Brannan’s district, 10 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH Option 1.

Finance:
Introduction 740-A, sponsored by Council Member David Carr, would establish a real property tax exemption for Cold War veterans who were honorably discharged or released. Fifteen percent of the assessed value of the residential property would be exempt, up to $48,000 or $48,000 multiplied by the latest class ratio, whichever is less. Cold War veterans who were disabled as a result of their service would be eligible for an additional exemption, up to $160,000 or $160,000 multiplied by the latest class ratio, whichever is less.

“This is common sense legislation,” said Council Member David Carr. “We owe our veterans an unpayable debt and making it more affordable for more vets and their surviving spouses to stay in their homes is the least we can do. As the only locality that did not offer this tax exemption, New York City will finally join the rest of the state in honoring the service of these veterans to our nation. I want to thank all who made enacting the Cold War veterans exemption possible  – Joe Borelli, Finance Chair Justin Brannan, Veterans Chair Bob Holden, my Common Sense Caucus colleagues, and all the cosponsors. I especially want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams for making this a priority in the Council’s response to the Preliminary Budget earlier this year and for championing its passage today.”

Introduction 1410, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would authorize an increase in annual expenditures for seven business improvement districts.

Introduction 1427, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would establish the Coney Island Business Improvement District.

Introduction 1428, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would authorize additional services for the Lincoln Square BID and authorize a change in the method of assessment upon which the district charge is based.

Resolution 1137, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would establish a new partial 40-year, Article XI tax exemption for a 20-story building in Council Member Keith Powers’ district.

Resolution 1138, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would establish a new partial 40-year, Article XI tax exemption for two buildings, consisting of 83 units, in Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.’s district.

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