New York state lawmakers passed reforms to its environmental rules that exempt certain development, aiming to speed up housing and infrastructure projects.
The 50-year-old State Environmental Quality Review Act, known as SEQRA, has long required developments to undergo a comprehensive review evaluating their environmental, social and economic impacts.
The reform was proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul this year as part of her “Let Them Build” agenda. It was passed by the state Legislature and Hochul on May 27 touted it as a step toward lowering building costs and easing restrictions.
The landmark reform would exempt certain housing and infrastructure developments deemed not to have significant environmental impacts. Projects must be located on previously disturbed land and connected to existing water and sewer systems. They are still required to comply with environmental requirements, permitting rules and local zoning laws.
The bill also establishes a two-year timeline for completing an environmental impact assessment.
“By removing these barriers and empowering communities across the state, we are working to drive down costs of critical housing and infrastructure and sending a simple message: now is the time to build,” Hochul said in a statement.
SEQRA can slow down construction by nearly two years and increase the cost of building housing by $82,000 per unit in New York City, according to the governor’s office.
What local officials say about SEQRA reform passage
The reforms have been supported by the business community, while drawing mixed reactions from residents, local officials and environmental groups.
The Westchester County Association applauded the reform, saying it creates a predictable review pathway for developments of up to 300 units in Westchester while maintaining environmental protections related to flood risk, environmental review standards, hazardous material compliance, water and sewer systems.
“SEQRA modernization is just one step towards addressing our housing challenges and there is still much work to be done,” the organization said in a statement.
However, critics said the changes could jeopardize public health and the environment.
Riverkeeper, an environmental organization that had advocated for the reforms to go through the regular legislative process with public input and great transparency, said in a statement that the bill would encourage sprawl and put communities already facing the impacts of climate change at even greater risk.
Helu Wang covers economic growth, real estate and education for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com and follow her @helu.wangny on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New York eases environmental reviews for new housing developments
Reporting by Helu Wang, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
