Community boards of Manhattan

Community boards of Manhattan
Name	Community Boards of Manhattan
Formed	1975
Jurisdiction	Borough of Manhattan, New York City
Headquarters	Manhattan Borough Hall
Parent agency	New York City Department of City Planning
Website	https://www.nyc.gov/site/cb/index.page

Community boards of Manhattan. The community boards of Manhattan are the 12 local advisory bodies within the borough, established under the New York City Charter. These boards serve as the most grassroots level of city government, providing a formal channel for resident input on local issues ranging from zoning to budget priorities. Their members are appointed by the City Council and the Borough President.

History and establishment

The modern system was created by the 1975 New York City Charter Revision Commission, which decentralized municipal governance in response to advocacy from groups like the United Federation of Teachers and various neighborhood associations. This reform was influenced by earlier experiments in community planning, such as those following the Model Cities Program of the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. The establishment formalized the role of local advisory panels that had existed in various forms since the consolidation of New York City in 1898, particularly within districts like the Upper West Side.

Structure and composition

Each board consists of up to 50 unsalaried members serving two-year terms, with half appointed by the Borough President of Manhattan and half by City Council members representing the district. Members must reside, work, or have a significant interest within the board's boundaries, such as owning a business in SoHo or serving on a parent-teacher association in Harlem. Boards are supported by a paid District Manager and staff, often operating from local offices like those in the Baruch College area. Committees are formed to address specific areas like parks or transportation.

Powers and responsibilities

While advisory, boards hold significant influence through mandated consultation processes. Their primary responsibilities include reviewing applications for changes in land use and zoning, assessing the needs of their community district for the city's budget, and evaluating the delivery of local services from agencies like the New York City Police Department and the New York City Department of Sanitation. They conduct public hearings on issues ranging from liquor license applications in the East Village to major capital projects proposed by the New York City Department of Transportation.

List of Manhattan community boards

Manhattan is divided into 12 community districts, each with a corresponding board. Key boards include **Community Board 1** covering Battery Park City and the Financial District; **Community Board 7** encompassing the Upper West Side and Manhattan Valley; and **Community Board 10** serving Central Harlem. Other districts are **Community Board 2** (Greenwich Village, SoHo), **Community Board 4** (Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen), **Community Board 12** (Washington Heights, Inwood), and boards representing areas like Midtown Manhattan, the Upper East Side, and East Harlem.

Role in land use and zoning

Boards play a critical role in the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a mandated public review for many projects. They review and vote on proposals for zoning amendments, special permits, and city map changes, providing recommendations to the New York City Planning Commission and the New York City Council. Their advisory opinions on major developments, such as those in Hudson Yards or along the Broadway corridor, carry substantial weight with elected officials and agencies like the New York City Department of City Planning.

Relationship with city government

The boards maintain a complex relationship with the Mayor's office, the New York City Council, and city agencies. While they advocate for local priorities with entities like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, their budgetary recommendations are advisory to the New York City Office of Management and Budget. Their effectiveness often depends on the political dynamics with local City Council members, the Borough President, and the advocacy of organizations like the Municipal Art Society of New York.

Category:Community boards in New York City Category:Government of Manhattan Category:1975 establishments in New York City