NYC Community Boards are the cornerstone of civic engagement in New York City. Each of the city’s neighborhoods has a community board where New Yorkers can share their opinions, stay informed about local events, and learn about potential changes in their communities.

What are NYC Community Boards?

Community boards inform the public about programs and proposals, advise on land use, and address other important neighborhood issues. There are 59 community districts across the five boroughs, all working to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers.

How are Members Selected?

According to Stephen Louis, counsel to New York Law School’s Center for New York City and State Law, community board members are appointed by the five NYC borough presidents. Half of these appointments are based on nominations from the 51 City Council members whose districts overlap with the community board districts.

Potential board members must demonstrate a strong interest in their communities, either by living or working within the district, or having “some other significant interest,” as stated on the city’s website. Generally, these positions are unpaid, though members can be reimbursed for expenses; staff positions, like the district manager, are salaried.

What Do Community Boards Do?

Jesse Greenwald, co-chair of Manhattan Community Board 4’s transportation committee, emphasizes the value of board service. “Serving on a board gives you the opportunity to work alongside neighbors, learn how city government really functions, and advocate for practical solutions,” he said.

Committees handle most planning and prepare issues for full board action, focusing on areas like land use, transportation, and budget. Each board customizes its committee structure to best serve its district’s needs.

The Impact of Community Board Recommendations

While community boards are advisory, their recommendations carry weight with the City Council and other city entities. Martha Stark, an attorney and professor at New York University, explains, “They are the closest body to communities and provide elected officials and agencies with feedback about policy decisions and laws, especially in the area of land use.”

ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) is a key process where community boards play a crucial role. They are the first stop in ULURP, allowing them to shape discussions on zoning, development, and permits. “They are the first stop in ULURP, and thus can shape some of the discussion on land use proposals,” Louis explained.

Calls for Reform

Despite their importance, concerns exist regarding the operation and appointment process of community boards. Some New Yorkers feel disconnected from the process, with one resident telling amNewYork, “I never hear about the meetings. I don’t know how they get advertised.”

Addressing Power Imbalances

Richard Khuzami, of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, points to potential power imbalances within boards. He explains that the chair often controls committee assignments, potentially sidelining dissenting voices. Khuzami proposes reforms like proportional committee representation based on election results to ensure minority viewpoints are included.

“If a chair is elected with 60% of the vote and an opponent receives 40%, then 40% of committee seats would be allocated to members aligned with the opposing candidate,” he suggests. “This ensures that differing perspectives are present.”