Yorktown Opposes Gov. Hochul’s Housing Proposal

March 9, 2022 – The Town Board voted unanimously to oppose Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to bypass local approval of new housing.

Gov. Hochul’s 2024 Executive Budget contains a proposal called the “New York Housing Compact” that contains provisions to create new housing quotas for local communities and to circumvent local land-use boards if their actions are deemed restrictive.

“All of Yorktown’s services, including police, volunteer emergency services, water, sewer and our school districts would be adversely affected by the governor’s proposal,” said Supervisor Tom Diana, who on Tuesday met with local officials to discuss their opposition to the governor’s proposal. “The governor’s housing quotas would negatively transform our community.”

According to a resolution adopted by the Town Board on February 28, the governor’s proposal would require extreme and substantial amendments to the Town’s local zoning. The changes would affect restrictions on minimum lot sizes, height limits, setbacks, parking, environmental reviews, planning board reviews and aesthetic reviews.

“The Town of Yorktown adamantly opposes the governor’s Housing Compact and urges the State Legislature to preserve and protect Municipal Home Rule and Local Zoning Powers by removing the Housing Compact proposal from the FY 2024 Budget,” stated the Town Board’s resolution.

Photo caption: Yorktown Supervisor Tom Diana, second from right, meets with local officials to discuss the New York Housing Compact.