Gov. Kathy Hochul has pulled her budget proposal to require local governments to accept an expansion of apartments and backyard cottages in single-family neighborhoods as a way to combat a statewide crisis in affordable housing, Newsday has learned.
Hochul had proposed the expansion of “accessory dwelling units” in her January budget proposal to the legislature. Since then, however, there has been strong opposition by mostly Republican officials from local governments on Long Island and by some Democrats.
Local officials argued the measure would take considerable zoning power away from local governing boards. At a news conference earlier this month, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “It’s an attack on the suburbs — it’s an attack on the suburban way of living…This is a power grab from New York City politicians, and we’re not taking it.”
TOH Supervisor Don Clavin praised the decision by the Governor to back down. “I am pleased to learn the Governor responded to our call to stop the assault on our way of life by withdrawing the state’s attempt at controlling our zoning. The Town of Hempstead will always fight to preserve our quality of life” said Clavin.
5TC had sent out a petition to stop the Governors proposal which thousands had signed onto:
We need your help! A provision in Governor Kathy Hochul’s State Budget Proposal effectively eliminates single-family home zoning across New York State.
The Governor’s proposal mandates localities to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (apartments) on the property of homes that are currently zoned for single-family use. The proposal would also allow homeowners to build an additional structure on a property where a home already exists. Her urbanization plan would negatively impact our suburban quality-of-life, local infrastructure, traffic, parking, the environment, emergency services, police protection, schools, as well as energy and water supplies.
Stand with Supervisor Don Clavin and the Hempstead Town Board and tell Governor Hochul that you are opposed to her plan to urbanize the suburbs. Demand that Governor Hochul remove this provision from her budget!
Action does work.
