Third borough board rejects de Blasio housing rezoning plan

The Manhattan Borough Board, made up of community board leaders and City Council members, Monday became the third of five such bodies to vote against zoning changes proposed as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's affordable housing plan.

The Queens and Bronx borough boards also have rejected a group of code amendments -- including one that allows for taller buildings -- and a requirement that developers put units for low- to middle-income tenants in their buildings.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said the proposals "need major changes" before borough representatives can accept them. The board voted 12-0 against the plan as it is, with four council members abstaining.

Among other concerns, the board wanted a guarantee that senior housing introduced in the plan cannot later be converted to market-rate housing for general use.

De Blasio, at an unrelated event Monday, said he expects those with doubts will come around to his plan.

"What we're talking about is a different approach to development and I don't blame people who haven't seen it before for having tough questions," he said.