Ever wondered who shapes the Upper West Side? Manhattan Community Board 7 does. It is your local government. The New York City Charter mandates these community boards. They play an important advisory role. This includes land use zoning and the city budget. They also handle municipal service delivery. Plus they address multiple community concerns of the Upper West Side.
Manhattan Community Board 7 spans a specific area. Its boundaries are Cathedral Parkway to the north. Central Park West is its eastern edge. The Hudson River marks its western border. The southern boundary includes Columbus Circle and parts of West 60th and 59th Streets.
The board consists of fifty volunteer members. The Manhattan Borough President appoints them. Council Members select twenty-five of these members. All members either live or work in the district. Some have a significant interest in the area. Appointments are based on qualifications. The needs of the current board are also considered.
Beverly Donohue became the chair in October 2022. She hoped to bring more focus to the board. Donohue aimed to address the board’s factionalized nature. She wanted to model collaborative behavior. She sought to resolve disputes quietly.
Donohue made changes early in her term. She moved the public comment section to the beginning of meetings. This allowed the public to speak earlier.
Community Board 7 has standing committees. These committees work with the community. They address concerns of the Upper West Side. Board members must serve on one or more of these committees.
The board’s mission involves advocacy. They elevate community concerns. This brings them to the attention of city state and federal government. This happens through public hearings. They also pass resolutions. They follow up relentlessly. They connect agencies to address issues.
Resolutions are key to the board’s work. They are proposed statements of board policy. The full board votes on them. Committees often present draft resolutions. These drafts reflect discussions input from the community and experts. The public can voice their views before a vote. Resolutions need a majority to pass.
These resolutions address various issues. They can involve pickleball courts in Riverside Park. They can also address alterations to landmark buildings.
Once passed resolutions go to elected officials and city agencies. The board also posts them online. They circulate them to interested parties. Some resolutions directly influence city agency decisions. This includes landmarks applications and land use proposals. Liquor license approvals require the board’s mandatory approval.
The board has achieved several successes. They got a mid-block crosswalk installed on 106th Street. This helped seniors access the Red Oak Senior Center. The board also planned the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and the Riverside Park Skatepark.
Manhattan Community Board 7 faces ongoing challenges. These challenges include affordable housing and over-development. They also address community facilities and zoning laws. The board strives to balance change with preserving the area’s character. The Upper West Side is known for its quality of life schools and scenic beauty. The Community Board works hard to maintain and improve it.