Hochul's Apartment Plan Decried On Long Island As 'Radical'

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Lawmakers gathered on Thursday to decry plans by Gov. Kathy Hochul to allow apartments on properties otherwise restricted to single-family zoning, putting an end to local government control over housing on Long Island, they say.

Under the plan, which was outlined in her executive budget, properties restricted to single-family living under local zoning regulation, would be allowed to include apartments in garages, basements, second floors , or rear yards, as well as sheds and garages, critics say.

Calling Hochul's plans "radical," politicians in Brookhaven Town stretched their hands across the aisle and took a stance that the state is seeking to take zoning control away from local governments, like towns and villages, in turn eliminating residents’ ability to voice objections to new apartments at public hearings.

Hochul's plan would also prohibit imposing parking requirements for the new apartments, resulting in cars clogging residential streets, according to critics.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, a Republican from Center Moriches, said that under the plan every town, village, and county would "lose overnight the important zoning protections that keep them from looking like the crowded neighborhoods of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn."

"That’s not what the residents of Brookhaven Town want," he said at a news conference at Town Hall in Farmingville. "This wrong-headed plan will not solve our affordable housing plan, but it will devalue the homes and quality-of-life in our neighborhoods.”

Councilman Dan Panico, a Republican from Manorville, called the plan an "ill-conceived proposal" trampling "on municipal home rule and local zoning" and opens the door for a staggering trickle-down effect that would impact school districts, the environment, and communities.

Coucilman Jonathan Kornreich, a Democrat, agreed, saying the proposal is "a blunt instrument that raised serious questions with respect to safety, environmental impact, traffic and the impact on neighborhoods and home values."

"Until we know the answers to these questions, this proposal should not move forward," he added.

Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri, a Democrat, explained that illegal apartments already cause overcrowded neighborhoods and lead to the enrollment of more children in school districts.

"Once home rule on this issue is struck down and accessory apartments become legal everywhere," he said. "A village like Patchogue will suffer greatly. I join my fellow elected officials in opposition to the governor’s proposal and ask that she reconsider this misguided plan.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who has pushed back against Hochul over her mask mandate, also decried her plan, the Long Island Business News reported.

Blakeman said the proposed legislation requires municipalities to allow more accessory apartments that would “destroy Long Island suburbs” by effectively eliminating single-family zoning, according to the outlet.

“My parents, both of whom were World War II veterans, taught me a lot about standing up to those who attempt to force their will upon others,” Blakeman said at a news conference with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena, and dozens of other politicians.

“Long Island families work hard to achieve the American dream of homeownership and enjoy a suburban way of life," he said. We cannot let the governor destroy suburbia nor turn Nassau County into the 6th borough of New York City.”

Hochul's proposal also drew some fire from two gubernatorial hopefuls, including U.S. reps Lee Zeldin, a Republican from Shirley, and Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove.

Zeldin called the plan "a blatant attack on suburban communities" that "will end single-family housing as we know it, strip local control away from the New Yorkers who live there, tank the value of their homes, overcrowd their previously quiet streets, and on top of it all, not do anything to solve our affordable housing problem."

Suozzi called Hochul's plan a “direct attack on home rule,” as well as a “radical proposal" that would "take away zoning control from municipal governments, erode local government authority, and end single-family housing across New York, LIBN reported.

Councilwoman Jane Bonner, a Conservative from Rocky Point, said the region needs affordable housing choices, but not "a broad stroke across the state to change the very character of the communities that we live in."

Republican Councilmen Kevin LaValle and Michael Loguercio said the plan will create more densely-populated neighborhoods.

Loguercio called Hochul's proposal an "absurd and unreasonable plan.”

“New Yorkers are already leaving the state in droves, and if the governor goes through with this, we will see a drastic increase in the number of people who move out," Councilman Neil Foley said, adding," I ask Governor Hochul to please stop this now. Long Island does not need or want this legislation to become law."

Hochul's Republican colleagues at the state level also sided with their local counterparts.

State Sen. Alexis Weik referred to the plan as a "one-size-fits-all approach to zoning" that does not work statewide.

Fellow senator Anthony Palumbo described the plan as "a more progressive overreach by Albany" that will have "a severe negative impact on the island."

Sen. Mario Mattera called the plan "another effort" by the state "to remove local control and dictate to our residents."

"This is repeatedly the way state government has operated throughout the past two years and it is time for common sense to return," he said, referring to the plan as a mandate.

Sen. Phil Boyle said local zoning control "is vital to ensuring that Long Island and other suburbs do not turn into New York City."

Assemb. Jodi Giglio, who worked at the local level as a town councilwoman making decisions about housing, also called the plan an "overreach" and Assemb. Doug Smith said he is strongly opposed "to the state jamming through stack-and-pack housing proposals into residential neighborhoods."

Assemb. Jarett Gandolfo said that Hochul's proposal "has declared war on the suburbs."

"It is a radical idea designed to eliminate single-family housing and it will destroy suburban living on Long Island as we know it," he added.

Assemb. Joe DeStefano said, "Local zoning control has rested with New York’s townships for hundreds of years for a reason."

Hochul's press secretary issued this statement to LIBN: "Governor Hochul’s $25 billion, five-year housing plan will create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes and make affordable housing more accessible, equitable, and stable for New Yorkers."

"As part of the governor’s affordable housing plan, the proposed bill would further the rights of individual homeowners to determine how best to use their property, provide homeowners on fixed incomes the opportunity to create additional rental income, helping them stay in their homes, or multi-generational housing to care for elderly relatives, and allow municipalities to require necessary health and safety measures for new units.”