Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Community Boards:

Questions:

How many Community Boards are there? [Answer]
What do Community Boards do? [Answer]
How does one become a member? [Answer]
How many members are on each board? [Answer]
How often do boards meet? [Answer]

 

 

 

Answers:

How many Community Boards are there?s

There are 59 Community Boards throughout the city, with 12 in Manhattan.

What do Community Boards do?

Community Boards are charged with the task of directly representing residents’ interests on crucial issues of community development and planning, land use, zoning and service delivery. Often underestimated, the Community Boards have tremendous power to shape short- and long-term decisions about the character and development of their neighborhoods. The City Charter provides Community Boards with specific powers and responsibilities in several areas:

• Long-term community planning. Chapter 197-A of the City Charter authorizes Community Boards to prepare long-term plans for community development. Once the City Planning Commission approves a 197-A plan, it serves as the policy guide for any development or zoning actions taken by the city.
• Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. Community Boards must be consulted on land use issues, which include the development of municipal facilities, residential buildings, parks and waterfront development. All applications for a change in zoning must first come for review before the Board, which makes a recommendation to the Borough President, who, in turn, makes a recommendation to the City Planning Commission.
• Applications for liquor licenses and sidewalk cafes. Bars and restaurants are required to come before Community Boards for advisory rulings on liquor license applications, which are then taken into account for a final determination by the State Liquor Authority. Similarly, applications for sidewalk cafes are presented to Community Boards, which make recommendations on approval to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Street fairs and street closings. Community Boards make a non-binding recommendation on applications for street fairs and street closings.
• Community needs in the city budget. The Charter tasks the Community Boards with assessing neighborhood needs, meeting with city agencies and making budget requests to address these local issues. Each Board prepares an annual “District Needs” statement, based on the requests and recommendations of individual Board members and committees.

How does one become a member?

All Community Board appointments are made by the Borough President—half unilaterally and half on the recommendation of members of the City Council. My staff and I are currently in the process of reviewing and updating the Community Board application. Please check the office’s official website through NYC.gov after January 1, 2006 in order to obtain an application, learn more about the requirements to serve on a Community Board, and various proposals that I am making to reform and empower the boards.

How many members are on each board?

The twelve Boards in Manhattan are each made up of 50 members—600 borough wide. All members must have an interest—residential, commercial or educational—in the community.

How often do boards meet?

Boards meet once each month. At these meetings, members address items of concern to the community. Board meetings are open to the public, and a portion of each meeting is reserved for the Board to hear from members of the public. Boards regularly conduct public hearings-on the City's budget, on land use matters, and other major issues-to give the people of the community the opportunity to express their opinions.