T
he timeline for land use proposals in New York City's review process is predictable, but the timing of key votes often leaves much to be desired. As I waited nearly six hours for a City Council subcommittee and committee vote on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, I couldn't help but think of Vladimir's observation from Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot": "We wait. We are bored … We are bored to death."

    The delay was due in part to negotiations that dragged on despite reports of a deal being reached earlier in the day. Council members and staff spent their time chatting, debating, or simply waiting, as I watched my laptop's power drain. The land use review process has deadlines, but it seems that City Council votes often go down to the wire.

    The final deal included a $5 billion capital commitment for housing and infrastructure, but it also cut back on the number of units to be added, including by preserving parking mandates and restricting accessory dwelling unit expansion. Instead of up to 109,000 dwellings over 15 years, the plan now aims for around 80,000.

    While some are hailing this as a win for pro-housing groups, others are criticizing the Council for bending to suburban concerns about neighborhood character and lack of parking. Industry response has been positive so far, with one developer noting that the reduction in parking requirements will make building an affordable housing project easier.

    The outcome of City of Yes remains uncertain, given its multifaceted nature and the many factors affecting development in NYC. What's clear is that the city's housing crisis requires a comprehensive approach, and this proposal is just one step towards addressing it.

    In other news, Steve Cohen's Metropolitan Park plan has received endorsements from all five community boards, while the City Council approved Continuum Company's downsized 962-972 Franklin Avenue project after seven years of negotiations. The Federal Highway Administration also signed off on the MTA's congestion pricing plan, with tolls set to go live in January.