NYC Ballot Proposals Passed in Tuesday’s Election to Go Into Effect

Chair of Herrick's Land Use & Zoning Practice, Mitch Korbey, was quoted in the Commercial Observer discussing how November 2026 New York City voters approved five ballot proposals crafted by Mamdani administration appointees to speed up development and give restaurants more leeway in serving food and drink outdoors.

The article noted that Mitch was particularly enthusiastic about Proposals 3 and 4. The measures are designed to speed up safety reviews, fast-track the sale of city-owned land, simplify the construction permit process, and otherwise remove speed bumps on the road to development.

"This will unlock opportunities that otherwise take considerable time given the current requirement for uniform land use review procedure (ULURP)," Mitch said. "For Proposal 4, shifting authority to the Department of Buildings (DOB) represents a far more efficient process and more expert and logical method for reviewing — resulting in time savings and greater predictability."

Read the full article in the Commercial Observer. Access may require a subscription.