‘You will create chaos’ – Republican Party representatives criticized Cathy Hochul’s plan for suburban housing

Republican members of Congress say they are unhappy with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “radical state takeover” of local government following her controversial proposal to build 800,000 new housing units – even over the objections of local planning boards.

The criticism comes in a letter obtained exclusively by The Post, which reads: “While we all understand the need to increase housing affordability, especially affordable housing, we cannot support a one-size-fits-all approach to local zoning.

“By imposing housing unit rates on municipalities and little or no investment in critical infrastructure upgrades, you will create chaos.”

The letter, signed by the entire state delegation of the Republican Party, with the exception of the deceitful Rep. George Santos (R-Nassau), who was deliberately excluded from the letter, highlights the difficulties that Hohul will have to face in changing the rules of suburban housing almost a year after abandoning attempts to overturn local zoning laws by easing restrictions on grandma apartments and other assisted living spaces.

Her new proposal requires cities to meet targets to increase their housing stock by a few percentage points a year, while requiring changes to building regulations next to public transport.

“Put simply, a mandatory rezoning of neighborhoods within half a mile of an MTA, Metro North, or Long Island Rail Road station would be a radical takeover by the state of local government,” said freshman Congressman Mike Lawler in a letter. (r-Pearl River).

The letter was also signed by representatives of Elise Stefanik (R-North Country), Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), Nick LaLota (R-Nassau), Andrew Garbarino (R-South Shore), Anthony D’Esposito (R-Suffolk), Mark Molinaro (R-Hudson Valley), Claudia Tenney (R-New York Central), Brandon Williams (R-New York Central) and Nick Langworthy (R-New York West).

“Our local governments are already drowning under unfunded mandates and state dictates – the absolute last thing we should do is increase their burden with this flawed and unconstitutional plan,” Langworthy said.

GOP officials say such an approach would effectively “completely eliminate self-government” and also provide a “recipe for disaster” by overburdening local roads, water, sewer, transportation, schools, and emergency services unprepared for a massive increase in population.

“I am amazed at this attempt at a wide-ranging public mandate that will eliminate centuries of judicial precedent and deprive cities, villages and towns of the ability to decide for themselves how they want their neighborhoods to look,” Lawler said.

Hochul spokesman Justin Henry dismissed GOP suggestions that the governor was trying to exert strong influence on local communities by pushing them to build more housing amid continued shortages and rising prices.

“To address the acute housing crisis engulfing New York State, Governor Hochul has proposed a bold plan to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade by working collaboratively and flexibly with cities in need of more housing,” Henry said.

“Gov. Hochul is committed to working towards a solution to the housing crisis and making New York more accessible to any elected leader who wants to be part of the solution,” he added.