Council adopts broad package including Hamilton Avenue rezoning, confirms DOI commissioner
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Summary
The New York City Council adopted a package of general orders on April 16, including LU 37‑59 (Hamilton Avenue rezoning), multiple Earth Day measures, and the confirmation of Nadia Shehadeh as commissioner of the Department of Investigation; most general‑order items passed overwhelmingly.
The New York City Council on April 16 adopted a broad package of measures on its general orders calendar and recorded several notable votes.
Land use: The council approved LU 37‑59 (Hamilton Avenue rezoning), which sponsors described as enabling an 18‑story mixed‑use building with 369 residential units, 111 permanently affordable units under MIH Option 2, 146 parking spaces and public open space in the sponsor's district. The land use call‑ups were adopted in the roll call earlier in the meeting, with the clerk recording that the day's land use call‑ups were adopted by a vote of 49 in the affirmative and 0 negative.
Department of Investigation nomination: The council also took up the mayoral nomination of Nadia Shehadeh to serve as commissioner of the Department of Investigation (M53 with Reso 436). The nomination was approved by a recorded vote of 40 in the affirmative and 9 in the negative. Supporters cited Shehadeh's prosecutorial experience and argued the office requires independence; some members explained their no votes were rooted in concerns about perceived political ties and the need for higher standards given DOI's watchdog role.
Other measures: The council moved forward a suite of bills timed for Earth Day, including water‑quality testing requirements and organic‑waste rules for city agencies, and introduced or passed items addressing public restrooms and World Cup readiness planning. The clerk summarized that most items on the general orders calendar were adopted by a vote of 49–0, with specific exceptions (e.g., Intro 3‑27b adopted 35–14; M53/Reso 436 adopted 40–9; Reso 4‑20 adopted 44–5).
Votes at a glance: - LU 37‑59 (Hamilton Avenue rezoning): Adopted (land use call‑up adopted by roll call 49–0). - Intro 3‑27b (security camera reimbursements): Adopted 35–14 (see separate coverage). - M53 / Reso 436 (Nadia Shehadeh, DOI commissioner): Adopted 40–9. - Reso 4‑20 (pre‑considered transparency resolution): Adopted 44–5.
What happens next: Adopted land use items and ordinances will proceed to implementation steps involving city agencies; the DOI nomination will proceed with the commissioner assuming the confirmed role pending the administration's scheduling and onboarding processes.
