Bronx Community Board 7

The community board has an important advisory role in dealing with land use, zoning, the budget process, and other issues. For instance, under the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), the matter must come before the community board at a public hearing where residents within and outside the community can present testimony. The agency applying for consideration under the ULURP procedure must also attend the hearing to respond to community concerns/questions. The community board votes and makes recommendation to the Department of City Planning.

For Zoning issues, individuals wishing to construct premises contrary to the zoning regulations must apply for a variance to the Board of Standards and Appeals. These applications also come before the board for public hearing. A recommendation regarding the application is submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals.

For Capital and Expense Budgets, the process begins with consultations at the district level and moves on to consultations at the borough level; public hearings scheduled by the board, the borough president and the city council before the budget is adopted. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these hearings and to testify.

Of course, community boards provide much needed information and coordination to their neighborhood residents. We invite you to participate in our meetings and get involved in local government.