Gov. Hochul rolls back her ADU proposal in NYS budget

Gov. Kathy Hochul has pulled the proposal in her New York State 2022-23 budget that would require local governments to allow an expansion of apartments in single-family neighborhoods. Local officials rejoiced on Feb. 18 outside of an East Meadow home because of this pull from the budget.

Hochul put this proposal in her January budget before the legislature. It has been widely criticized by local elected officials. The opposing arguments said that the Accessory Dwelling units would put a strain on Long Island resources and that it would be an end to suburbia. Hochul, however, saw it as a way to potentially fix the affordable housing crisis that plagues the state.

Raheel Ahmad, an East Meadow resident whose street the officials gathered on, said that he’s grateful housing on Long Island will stay the same. He moved his family from Brooklyn to Long Island six years ago.

“It feels amazing, this is why I moved here,” Ahmad said at the press conference. “I’m thankful for the elected officials who raised up for the residents and got a victory for us.”

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said at the press conference that thousands of residents signed online petitions against the budget proposal following its rollout. He added that the town received cards from residents stating their opposition to the proposal.

“The biggest investment in someone's life is buying a house in the suburbs,” Clavin said. “The Governor's attempt by throwing this in the budget to eliminate single housing is wrong.”

The legislation essentially removes the“home rule” meaning local governments cannot determine zoning based on the character of the community and the wishes of those in their jurisdiction.

According to officials, the Town of Hempstead already has zoning provisions in place that provide for senior citizen accessory apartments as well as parent/child property owner setups. The main denouncement of Hochul’s plan, officials stated, was that the local governments wouldn’t have a say.

County legislator Tom McKevitt, who found the ADU proposal in the budget that was on page 126 of 5,000, said at the press conference that this was a great example of people at all levels of government coming together to preserve their quality of life. “We’re putting forth the word to the governor and to state representatives,” McKevitt said. “Do not try this again, do not put it in there, we’re going to be watching and protecting our communities.”

​​Town Councilman Chris Carini wrote in a statement to the Herald, "This bill could not pass on its merits as a stand-alone bill and was hidden in the budget to force its passage, this was the same tactic used to pass bail reform. I was proud to join with other local officials to expose this smash and grab of our local zoning.”

Brendan Carpenter contributed to this article.