Mamdani's five City Planning picks head to the Council's Rules Committee

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday nominated five people to the City Planning Commission. The commission is the 13-member body that votes on rezonings before they reach the City Council. Three nominees are new:

• Meenakshi Srinivasan, former chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission and of the Board of Standards and Appeals
• Margaret Anadu, CEO of One Weaver and a former Goldman Sachs partner
• Julie Stein, executive director of the Union Square Partnership

Two current members were renominated. Kenneth Knuckles would continue as vice chair, and Anthony Crowell, dean of New York Law School, would serve another term. The mayor's release quotes him saying zoning and land use decisions "shape whether New Yorkers can afford to live in their neighborhoods." Commercial Observer also covered the nominations.

These appointments matter more than usual. Charter changes that voters approved last year give the commission final approval over qualifying affordable housing projects in 12 "fast track" community districts, starting in January, City Limits reported. In those districts, such projects will no longer need a Council vote.

Where the nominations stand

The five nominations reached the Council at Thursday's stated meeting as Mayor's Messages. All five were referred to the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics, chaired by Council Member Sandra Ung:

• M 0093-2026: Anthony Crowell
• M 0094-2026: Kenneth Knuckles
• M 0095-2026: Julie Stein
• M 0096-2026: Margaret Anadu
• M 0097-2026: Meenakshi Srinivasan

City Limits reported that the Council has 30 days after a nomination is formally submitted to act. That points to the November 12 or November 19 stated meeting on our meetings calendar.

How the Council has handled past nominees

Our records show the Council has approved every Mamdani nominee that reached a floor vote this term. Several drew organized opposition:

• John Mangin, Board of Standards and Appeals chair (Res. 640, Sept. 10): approved 40-6, with 5 abstentions. The Rules Committee approved him 6-1 with 2 abstentions after a long debate. Much of it was about his role in the 2025 ballot measures that changed the Council's land use powers.
• Dr. Dave Chokshi, Board of Health (Res. 639, Sept. 10): approved 44-6.
• Nadia Shihata, Commissioner of Investigation (Res. 436, April 16): approved 40-9.
• Midori Valdivia, Taxi and Limousine Commission (Res. 414, March 26): approved 42-7.
• Steven Banks, Corporation Counsel (Res. 316, Feb. 12): approved 42-6.
• Lisa Kersavage, Landmarks Preservation Commission (Res. 472, May 14): approved 48-0.

The six members who voted against Mangin were Vickie Paladino, Phil Wong, Joann Ariola, Inna Vernikov, David Carr and Frank Morano. Christopher Marte, Eric Dinowitz, Linda Lee, Darlene Mealy and Chris Banks abstained.

What members said last time

Debate over Mangin is the closest preview of how a land use nominee is likely to be questioned. In the Rules Committee, Banks said members should look beyond a nominee's résumé to their "governing philosophy." Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams said she had come in with serious questions about his past writings but would vote yes. On the floor, Morano explained his no vote. He said the Council had campaigned against the ballot proposals that moved land use authority, and should not install one of their architects. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse said she was "somewhat confident" after hearing the nominee and would vote yes.

At Wednesday's Land Use hearing, members questioned planners about the Council losing its final vote on fast-track projects, according to our summary of the hearing.

What's next

The Rules Committee will schedule a hearing at which the nominees can be questioned. It then votes, and the full Council votes after that. Hearing notices appear on our committee page as they are posted.