NYC Council Members Suing to Halt Housing Ballot Measures in Last-Ditch Effort

In a last-ditch effort to maintain their power over housing development in New York City, members of the Council's Common Sense Caucus have filed a lawsuit seeking to block three ballot measures that will be presented to voters in November. The measures, if passed, would limit the Council's influence over certain housing and infrastructure projects, with the goal of expediting construction and bypassing Council members known for their opposition to new housing in their districts. The lawsuit, filed in state Supreme Court, alleges that three out of the five proposed ballot measures violate the state constitution by infringing on the Council's legislative authority. One of the measures would create a new citywide commission to oversee certain large-scale development projects, while another would give the mayor more control over the city's land use process. The third measure would create a new environmental review process for certain projects, which the plaintiffs argue would be costly and time-consuming. The Common Sense Caucus, whose members include City Councilman Fernando Cabrera and Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, is known for its conservative stance on housing and development. The group, along with other Council members, has been a vocal opponent of the proposed reforms, which they claim would strip them of their ability to advocate for their districts and their constituents. "We are not against development, but we believe that the City Council should have a say in the process," said Councilman Cabrera. "These ballot measures are a blatant attempt to undermine our legislative authority and we will not stand for it." The defendants named in the lawsuit include the City Planning Commission, the Board of Elections, and the City Council. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to prevent the ballot measures from appearing on the November ballot. Originally reported by The Real Deal.