Binghamton Council holds over ‘good cause’ eviction local law, refers measure to Planning Committee

Council member Rathmell introduced Local Law 25-01, “A local law to prohibit eviction without good cause,” and moved to adopt it; Council member Middleton seconded the motion. After extended public comment and council discussion, the council voted 5-0 to hold the legislation over and refer it to the Planning Committee for amendment and final consideration.

The measure has been the focus of lengthy public comment during the meeting. Residents, tenants’ advocates and service providers urged passage and said good-cause protections would reduce displacement and give tenants more stability. Several landlords, rental‑property owners and a community action agency warned the law could reduce available rental housing, raise costs for small landlords and create administrative burdens for supportive‑housing providers. Written submissions from students, landlords and nonprofit agencies were also read into the record.

Council member Rathmell framed the law as a response to “a housing crisis for too many Binghamton residents,” saying the council’s goal is to expand tenant protections while preserving landlords’ rights to evict for nonpayment, property damage or serious lease violations. Council member Kavanaugh proposed adding definitions used in Rochester’s ordinance — including a definition of “nuisance” and a definition for “withdrawal from the housing rental market” tied to documented repairs and a timeline — to clarify when an owner may remove a unit from the market for legitimate rehabilitation work.

Council debate focused on whether to adopt the law immediately or refer it to Planning Committee so amendments can be drafted and inserted. Council members who supported the holdover said the short delay would allow clarifying language to be added and, counterintuitively, could make the law take effect sooner than adopting an unamended draft. Council member Metavetsky made the motion to hold over and refer; Council member Middleton seconded. The clerk recorded the roll: Middleton — Aye; Kavanaugh — Aye; Rathmell — Aye; Metavetsky — Aye; Hotchkiss (Council president pro tem) — Aye. The motion passed 5-0.

Next steps: the council scheduled committee consideration the following day; members said the Planning Committee will review proposed definitions (for nuisance and withdrawal from the rental market), implementation timing and any other amendments suggested by landlords, tenant advocates and municipal staff. Council members emphasized outreach and education to both tenants and landlords as part of implementation planning.

Public comment highlights (select): - John Ferrara, Binghamton resident, urged council to pass good cause “without delay,” saying the city is one disaster away from a humanitarian housing crisis. - Tara Cabdelozom, resident, criticized local handling of a major affordable-housing redevelopment project and raised concerns about past use of public funds for private owners; she urged stronger city housing policy. - Several tenants and students said they supported the policy and named New York municipalities that have already enacted similar protections. - Greater Opportunities (a local community action agency) submitted written opposition, saying the law could reduce affordable units and complicate operations for agencies that provide supportive housing.

Discussion vs. decision: councilmembers distinguished discussion about definitions, implementation timelines and landlord concerns from the formal action taken. The formal action was not adoption of the local law; it was a 5-0 holdover and referral to Planning Committee to craft amendments and a final effective date.

Clarifying note: the council repeatedly stated that existing landlord rights to evict for nonpayment, lease violations or serious property damage would remain in place under the draft law; changes under consideration focus on definitions and implementation procedures.