This is BIG news. Manhattan's Community Board 5 has long been at the center of many of the developments in Midtown that have had to gain approval. As such, we have become somewhat familiar with some of the board and some of the more outspoken members.
https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politi...oardroom-brawl
Manhattan's Community Board 5 leadership steps aside after boardroom brawl
AARON ELSTEIN
March 15, 2024
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Community Board 5 has undergone a major shake-up in what appears to be a coordinated effort to loosen land-use rules within several community boards citywide.
Community Board 5 represents the interests of Midtown neighborhoods and has a seat at the table when city or state policymakers tackle big matters, such as the future of Penn Station or the rezoning of East Midtown.
Chair Vikki Barbero resigned last month after 15 years in the role and 30 years on the board. On Thursday night her successor, Nick Athanail, quit effective immediately. Also gone is Layla Law-Gisiko, chair of the powerful land use committee, who had served on the board since 2005.
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The new chairman is Samir Lavingia, a former Google and Twitter software engineer and CB5 member for two years. He was elected Thursday night with 22 votes in favor and 19 abstentions.
Lavingia is campaign coordinator at Open New York, a nonprofit funded by Open Philanthropy, which is backed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz. Open New York has an interest in housing development and a desire “to reduce the harms caused by excessively restrictive local land use regulations,” according to its website.
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Community boards don’t write laws or draft regulations, but developers planning a new apartment building or office tower seek their approval because their recommendations sway elected officials. The boards also serve as farm systems for residents aiming to run for public office one day. Members are volunteers nominated by the City Council and approved by the borough president for two-year terms.
Manhattan’s Community Board 5 is especially influential because its district stretches between Madison Square Garden and Grand Central Terminal, from 14th to 59th streets.
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Had no idea there was such a revolution on the boards. Maybe that's why the CB4 meeting from last week was so out of order. We'll see what these new people are up to.