{"id":159,"date":"2025-05-29T15:03:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T19:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/selvena-brooks-powers\/?p=159"},"modified":"2025-08-20T15:04:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T19:04:32","slug":"new-york-city-council-majority-whip-brooks-powers-introduces-legislation-on-environmental-justice-and-cannabis-siting-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/selvena-brooks-powers\/2025\/05\/29\/new-york-city-council-majority-whip-brooks-powers-introduces-legislation-on-environmental-justice-and-cannabis-siting-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"New York City Council Majority Whip Brooks-Powers Introduces Legislation on Environmental Justice and Cannabis Siting Standards"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2014 <\/strong>At this week\u2019s Stated Meeting, New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers introduced two pieces of legislation focused on advancing environmental justice in Southeast Queens and protecting community spaces from inappropriate cannabis siting.<\/p>\n

The first bill, Introduction 1280<\/a>, would require the City\u2019s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability to conduct recurring environmental impact studies of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The bill mandates consultation with local environmental justice organizations, publication of regular reports, and implementation of responsive mitigation programs in collaboration with relevant agencies.<\/p>\n

The second item, Resolution 883<\/a>, calls on the New York State Legislature to pass S.1244\/A.1587 and S.7275A\/A.5341A, which would strengthen siting and advertising restrictions for cannabis businesses near schools, playgrounds, libraries, parks, and houses of worship.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoutheast Queens has long faced the consequences of environmental neglect and uneven regulation,\u201d said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers<\/strong>. \u201cWith these two bills, we\u2019re calling for stronger data and action to protect public health from airport-related pollution, and for more thoughtful oversight of cannabis retail to safeguard our youth and family spaces. Our neighborhoods deserve fairness, transparency, and a voice in decisions that shape our health and daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

“As the representative for one of the communities most impacted by environmental burdens and over-saturation of unwanted uses, I proudly support Majority Whip Brooks-Powers’ legislation,\u201d said New York City Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams<\/strong>. \u201cFrom persistent air and noise pollution around JFK Airport to the clustering of cannabis retailers near sensitive community spaces, Southeast Queens deserves meaningful action. Introduction 1280 and Resolution 883 are thoughtful and necessary steps to advance environmental justice and protect our children, families, and places of worship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Board Of Officers and Members of Rosedale Civic Association Inc support Intro 1280 of  Councilwoman\u2019s Selvena N. Brooks-Powers for advancing environmental justice in Southeast Queens and conducting recurring environmental impact studies of John F Kennedy International Airport, \u201c said Alfred Osbourne, President And Board Chairperson Of Rosedale Civic Association<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“The Board Of Officers and Members of Rosedale Civic Association support Resolution 883 of Councilwoman\u2019s Selvena N. Brooks-Powers that includes bills S 1244 and A 1587 that strengthens siting and advertising restrictions for cannabis businesses near schools, playgrounds, libraries, parks and houses of worship,” continued Alfred Osbourne, President and Board Chairperson of the Rosedale Civic Association<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 \u201cI welcome this legislative initiative, because it brings adjacent City agencies together to assess the impacts of JFK airport traffic, air cargo and airplane activities on the health, safety and quality of life of Southeast Queens residents,\u201d said Gloria Boyce-Charles, Community Advocate<\/strong>. \u201cIn so doing, it acknowledges that the people on the ground are important stakeholders whose interests must be seriously considered in the operation and expansion of JFK International Airport.  And just as important, it identifies, assesses and mitigates the aviation-related burdens that have gone unchecked in our communities for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur communities and our children need many things\u2026access to more stores that sell healthy foods and snacks, access to more libraries and safe, enriching after school programs, access to more green spaces where our residents can come together to plant community gardens or where our children can enjoy supervised play dates,\u201d continued Gloria Boyce-Charles, Community Advocate.<\/strong> \u201cWe could even use a few dog parks. What we do not need is access to more cannabis dispensaries and lounges. I support Res 0883-2025 which restricts the location of cannabis storefront operations and advertising.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both measures reflect Council Member Brooks-Powers\u2019 commitment to protecting public health, equity, and quality of life in historically underserved neighborhoods. <\/p>\n

Media Contact for Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers:<\/p>\n

Julian Martin | jmartin@council.nyc.gov<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2014 <\/strong>At this week\u2019s Stated Meeting, New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers introduced two pieces of legislation focused on advancing environmental justice in Southeast Queens and protecting community spaces from inappropriate cannabis siting.<\/p>\n

The first bill, Introduction 1280<\/a>, would require the City\u2019s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability to conduct recurring environmental impact studies of John F.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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