Governor Hochul’s NY Housing Compact
The Elimination of Single-Family Zoning
You may remember around this time last year, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her plan to address New York States housing crisis by requiring municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units on lots zoned for single-family homes. Mayor Donno, along with various other elected officials, established a strong coalition of opposition to combat the Governors proposal. Their efforts were successful and in 2022 the Governors proposal was removed from the state budget.
But the fight does not end there…
On January 10, 2023, the Governor announced that once again she would be tackling the housing crisis in New York State and has proposed the ‘NYS Housing Compact’ bill, an elimination of single-family zoning. This bill would require local governments that have residences within a half-mile radius of MTA sites, such as the Long Island Rail Road, to eliminate their current zoning laws, and rezone for multi-family housing, apartment buildings, and dwellings of about 50 units per acre, 25 units per half acre, or 12 units per one-fourth acre. Since the entirety of the Village of Plandome Manor falls within this half-mile radius, every section and corner of our Village would be effected. (See the map below) Additionally, all municipalities within a 15 mile radius of New York City, will be required to increase the number of homes within their jurisdiction by 3% on a 3 year cycle.
The ‘Housing Compact’ will overcrowd our classrooms, increase taxes, increase traffic, strain our emergency services, environment and our critical infrastructure. The detrimental effects of this proposal are momentous and our suburban community is at risk.
(The red circles indicate the areas within a mile radius of an MTA station.)
Key Elements and Implications of the ‘Housing Compact’:
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- If passed, it will become a state mandate and it would eliminate ‘Home Rule’ authority municipalities have per the New York State Constitution.
- Therefore, Plandome Manor would not have the ability to prohibit multi-family housing throughout the Village.
- The Village would no longer have authority over the use of accessory dwelling units, building height restrictions, or lot coverage.
- It would require all cities, towns, and villages to achieve targets specified by the state for housing growth on a three-year cycle. For municipalities that are served by the MTA, such as Plandome Manor, the housing growth target is 3% over three years.
- As part of the new grow, to encourage the inclusion of higher-density and affordable housing, approved multi-family and affordable units will be assigned extra weight in calculating a municipality’s progress toward its goals. Therefore, municipalities will receive credit for two units for every new affordable housing unit that is constructed.
- If passed, it will become a state mandate and it would eliminate ‘Home Rule’ authority municipalities have per the New York State Constitution.
On February 3, 2023, Mayor Donno and various elected officials from across Long Island attend a press conference hosted by our NYS Senator, Jack Martins, as a collective coalition in opposition to the ‘Housing Compact’. A clip from the press conference can be viewed by clicking here
Article from February 3, 2023 Press Conference: LI Officials at Odds with Advocates on Hochul’s Housing Legislation
Manhasset Bay Protection Committee – Letter to the Governor
Manhasset Bay Protection Committee – Letter to Town Officials
What can you do?
If you wish to oppose the Governor’s Housing Compact, we encourage you to reach out to our elected representatives. (Click here for a sample letter) Please see below for our representatives contact information:
| STATE | SENATE | ASSEMBLY |
| Kathy Hochul Governor of New York State New York State Capitol Building Albany, New York 12224 Phone: (518) 474-8390 Contact form: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content /governor-contact-form | Jack M. Martins Senator District 7 Legislative Office Building 198 State Street,Room 608 Albany, NY 12247 Phone: 518-455-2677 District Office Phone: 516-922-1811 martins@nysenate.gov Andrea Stewart-Cousins Senate Majority Leader Capitol Building 172 State Street,Room 330 Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2715 scousins@nysenate.gov | Gina L. Sillitti Assemblywoman District 16 Legislative Office Building 198 State Street, Room 452 Albany, NY 12248 Phone: 516-482-6966 516-455-5192 sillittig@nyassembly.gov Carl E. Heastie Assembly Speaker Legislative Office Building 198 State Street, Room 932 Albany, NY 12248 518-455-3791 Speaker@nyassembly.gov |
Helpful Information:
NC Presiding Officer Nicolello – Housing Compact
Manhasset residents, officials say Hochul’s housing plan will strain community resources
Touro University VP Discusses New York Housing Compact
Politico: Hochul faces an ‘uprising’ over her plan to build new housing in NYC suburbs
National Law Review: Governor Kathy Hochul Proposes New York State Housing Compact
Hochul targeting suburban homeowners
Suffolk County: Calling Out Governor’s Overreach with ‘Housing Compact’ Proposals