Vijay Dandapani urges NYC council to delay natural gas detector law implementation

The Committee on Housing & Buildings of New York City convened on June 3, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding social housing and related legislative measures. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, focusing on proposed bills and their implications for the housing and hospitality sectors.

The session began with a call for the enactment of several legislative items, specifically Intro 902, Intro 78, and Resolution 374. These proposals aim to address pressing concerns in the housing sector, although specific details on these items were not elaborated during the initial remarks.

Vijay Dandapani, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, presented a significant testimony in support of Intro 1281. This bill seeks to delay the implementation of a natural gas detector requirement mandated by Local Law 157 until 2016. Dandapani highlighted that the current requirement necessitates the installation of interconnected alarm systems based on the NFPA standard 715. He pointed out that only one company can meet these stringent requirements, which would force hotels to install wired gas detection systems. This process would involve extensive renovations, including drilling through walls and ceilings, leading to significant disruptions for both guests and staff.

Dandapani emphasized the timing of this requirement, noting that the hotel industry is still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is facing additional challenges from federal policies. He argued that many hotels lack the financial resources to undertake such major renovations and suggested that delaying the implementation would allow for the development of safer, wireless alarm systems. He urged the council to pass the bill promptly to provide the industry with necessary time to adapt.

Following Dandapani, Mbake Thiam, a housing and health community organizer at the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, was called to testify. However, the details of Thiam's testimony were not included in the provided transcript.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the housing and hospitality sectors in New York City, particularly in light of regulatory requirements and the need for practical solutions that consider the current economic climate. The committee's discussions will likely influence future legislative actions aimed at supporting these industries. Further follow-up on the proposed bills and their outcomes is anticipated as the committee continues its oversight of social housing issues.