Urban Planning for Republicans

by Steven Eiselen, Nassau YRs

A certain Republican elected official from Long Island, whom I heard speak recently, made the following comment:

“There are two Communist islands in North America; the island of Cuba, and the island of Manhattan.” Obviously, this claim is not only credible, but shockingly true when you think about it.

The heavy regulation, taxation, restrictions, social engineering, plus the otherwise negative effects of the City’s uncommitted and oligarchic leadership are killing development and economic progress in New York City and the greater metropolitan area at large. This trend should provoke us to wonder where this quasi-socialist government will take us next.

Our solution lies in the core of our biggest problems. The current dystopia that New York City and the surrounding area is merely the product of the policies, powers, and authorities that are the urban and suburban planning processes.

Not only is this an area that Republicans should be active in, but one that we must be active in. Indeed, we cannot have a future unless we plan one, especially in a field largely dominated by left-leaning city planners. This way, we can turn New York City around towards true growth versus the misleading and meager advances of the current approach.

Below are three basic policies that can be the hallmarks of a conservative Republican-planned city:

1. Deregulation: The 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution was about 35 pages. Today, it totals about 2,500 pages. Republicans must not only strive to simplify the Zoning Text, but every kind of regulation on development, condensing rules wherever possible, and removing unnecessary ones. The end result should be regulations that exist only out of necessity to maintain and protect the greater public good, and leave the rest for individuals and businesses to decide for themselves.

2. Cut Fees & Taxes: Republicans should conduct a study of how much every kind of tax or fee can be cut that interferes with private sector development projects. These, too are currently out of control, especially as congestion pricing looms over the horizon.

3. Invest with Private, not Public, Capital: Republicans ought to fight for policies that stress the use of corporate or private initiatives and funding for any redevelopment and revitalization projects, using limited taxpayer funds only as an absolute last resort.

“Beautification” projects should be done in concert with individual property owners, or perhaps coordinated through local Chambers of Commerce and other such associations. A policy also ought to be developed directing the prudent and economical use of public funds for streetscapes and other public property.

Republicans also ought to insist on stricter enforcement of competitive bidding rules, establishing value in public projects while spending as little as possible in the process of redeveloping a particular area.

Through policy and planning steps like these and others, we can take New York well on its way towards a more Republican and freer “free market” system of progress and urban development. Our ports will bustle, our skylines will rise, and our quality of life and liberty will steadfastly increase. Imagine the possibilities...