A group of local leaders from Western New York and the Finger Lakes traveled to Albany last week to push for changes they say could significantly speed up housing development across the state.
Mayors and municipal leaders from Amherst, Fredonia, North Tonawanda, and Ithaca met with state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to advocate for the governor’s “Let Them Build” proposal, which aims to streamline environmental reviews and reduce delays tied to development projects.
Officials argued that current approval processes are slowing housing construction and driving up costs, pointing to projects in their communities that have faced lengthy delays. Under existing rules, environmental reviews can take an average of 2.5 years, adding time and expense to new housing and infrastructure efforts.
The proposal backed by the group would look to simplify those reviews, particularly for projects considered low-impact, while maintaining environmental protections and local zoning authority. Leaders emphasized the need for broad reforms that apply across communities and project types, rather than narrower changes.
Amherst Supervisor Shawn Lavin said duplicative reviews on already-developed land can increase costs without providing meaningful environmental benefit. North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said his city has seen projects delayed for months or years due to processes that do not always match the level of impact.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo called the proposal a key step toward addressing the state’s housing shortage, saying reforms could help unlock development potential and reduce regulatory bottlenecks. Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson echoed support, saying changes to the state’s environmental review law would help communities grow while lowering barriers for developers.
The group met with members of both the state Senate and Assembly, as well as the governor, urging them to include the full proposal in the final state budget.
Supporters say the plan could help accelerate construction of housing, childcare centers, clean energy projects, and other infrastructure seen as critical to meeting demand across New York.
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