Community Boards Of New York City

The community boards of the New York City government are the appointed advisory groups of the community districts of the five boroughs. There are currently 59 community districts: twelve in the Bronx, eighteen in Brooklyn, twelve in Manhattan, fourteen in Queens, and three in Staten Island.

They advise on land use and zoning, participate in the city budget process, and address service delivery in their district. Regarding land use they are only advisory and mostly serve as mobilizing institutions for communities opposed to specific projects. The City Charter also allows boards to submit their own plans for the development, growth, and improvement of their communities.

Community boards each have up to 50 volunteer members appointed by the local borough president, half from nominations by City Council members representing the community district (''i.e.'', whose council districts cover part of the community district). Non-board members may also join or work on board committees.

Each community board is led by a district manager, with an office and staff, whose primary purpose is to coordinate the delivery of services to the community. Each borough also has a borough board, composed of the borough president, council members from the borough, and the chairperson of each community board in the borough.New York City Charter (ULURP), after the Department of City Planning certifies as complete an application respecting the use, development, or improvement of real property, affected community boards (along with borough boards) may hold public hearings and submit recommendations for consideration to the City Planning Commission before its decision. Such applications include those that involve city land or facilities, changes to zoning, and the use of public street and sidewalks.

The Board of Standards and Appeals generally has jurisdiction over special-use permits of a local nature (along with zoning variances), such as for gas stations, clubs, camps and public utility installations, and its approval process deviates from the ULURP by allowing community and borough boards to review and recommend applications; the City Planning Commission retains jurisdiction for projects that have greater impact or involve planning issues beyond the local neighborhood. Projects that are "as-of-right" (i.e. the city has no discretion) are not subject to community review. The City Charter also allows community boards to submit their own plans for the development, growth, and improvement of their communities.New York City Charter, their impact has been minimal.

Structure

Each board is composed of up to 50 volunteer members, with half of the membership appointed by the local borough president each year.New York City Charter members representing the community district (''i.e.'', whose council districts cover part of the community district). Additionally, all City Council members representing the community district are non-voting, ''ex officio'' board members. Meetings occur once a month and are open to the public.

Board members

Board members are selected from among people who must reside, work, or have some other significant interest in the community district. The board members serve for two-year terms, staggered so that half of the full membership is up for appointment each year. The minimum age to become a board member was lowered to 16 years old in 2014. In November 2018 voters overwhelmingly approved term limits of 4 consecutive 2-years stints. After 2 years off the Board, members are eligible to be reappointed. Appointments to the board are usually made each spring.

Committees

Each community board has committees that do most of the planning and work on the issues that are brought to action at board meetings. Committees may be functional committees that deal with specific New York City Charter