NYC Ballot Rewrites Housing Approval Power

New York City will let voters decide charter changes that shift project approval from the City Council to the Planning Commission while creating fast‑track and appeal paths. A new PAC plans $3 million to back the measures, which are opposed by council leadership as a 'power grab' but supported by figures like Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Brad Lander. — This tests whether cities can curb council veto power to accelerate housing, setting a precedent for balancing democratic input with technocratic planning to tackle shortages.