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Mostly Cloudy State zoning would destroy New York suburbs
Recently, I joined my colleagues in the Nassau County Legislature, along with dozens of county, town, city and village elected officials and local homeowners, to demand that Gov. Kathy Hochul remove a provision hidden within the thousands of pages of her proposed budget that would effectively eliminate single-family home zoning across New York state.
The plan would require that towns, villages, and cities allow apartments to be constructed within any single-family house — and even a new freestanding apartment on the property — for anyone that wants one. This sneaky maneuver is exactly how former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the State Legislature passed their disastrous cashless bail reform law. It is clearly an assault on our suburbs, and we simply cannot allow it to happen.
Enough is enough. From overcrowding classrooms, endangering the safety of communities, straining public safety, sanitation, traffic and utility resources to destroying the environment and increasing the carbon footprint, this legislation directly threatens Long Island’s quality of life and will turn our suburban neighborhoods into the overcrowded urban centers that most residents fled from to live here. Furthermore, Long Island’s middle-class families and seniors will bear the burden of this proposal and be forced to pay even higher taxes as a result.
Eliminating single-family zoning is but the first step to increasing density by allowing multi-family units (up to four) to be constructed on lots now zoned for one-family use. What’s next from Albany? Maybe allowing reduced lot sizes and smaller backyards? Do they also plan on easing or eliminating controls? Then followed by re-classifying wetland and open space to allow for more apartments? These are decisions your local elected officials should decide. Let our villages, towns and counties determine what’s best for their communities. Stop the attack on the suburbs.
We are already putting a plan in motion to fight and ensure that this provision is removed from the governor’s budget. The overwhelming majority of elected officials countywide are taking action as well. Included in that effort is a petition I’ve created in opposition to this attack on suburbia. Those interested in letting their voice be heard can sign my petition by visiting my website at nassaucountyny.gov/ld6.
I also encourage you to call Hochul’s office at (518) 474-8390, and to contact other state legislators to let them know that this progressive agenda is not acceptable, and that the legislation must be removed from the state budget. You can also submit commens on this issue by accessing the governor's contact form.
Gaylor is a county legislator for Legislative District 6, which comprises Malverne, Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, Valley Stream and portions of Rockville Centre, Hewlett, Franklin Square and Woodmere.
