The Real Estate Board of New York to The City Council Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics regarding the Appointment of John Mangin to the Board of Standards and Appeals

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The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City's leading real estate trade association, representing commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, salespeople, and other organizations and individuals active in New York City real estate. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the nomination of John Mangin to serve as Chair and Member of the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA).

We recognize and respect the City Council's important role in carefully reviewing mayoral nominees. We offer this testimony to share REBNY's experience working with Mr. Mangin and our perspective on the qualities he would bring to the BSA.

REBNY has worked with Mr. Mangin during his years of public service. We have consistently found him to be exceptionally talented, thoughtful, and deeply knowledgeable about New York City's land use and planning framework. He brings strong legal and technical expertise to complex issues, approaches his work with rigor and sound judgment, and is a terrific public servant.

The BSA performs a consequential and highly technical function within the City's land use system, including its review of zoning variances, zoning appeals, and other matters entrusted to it by law. Its decisions affect applicants, communities, and the City's broader housing and economic development goals. The Board therefore benefits from leadership that understands both the governing legal framework and the practical implications of its work.

Based on our experience, Mr. Mangin is well equipped to bring that combination of expertise, judgment, and commitment to public service to the BSA. We are confident that, if appointed, he would approach the role with the seriousness, professionalism, and care it demands.

We respectfully submit this perspective for the Council's consideration as it carries out its review of Mr. Mangin's nomination. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

CONTACT:

Basha Gerhards
Executive Vice President, Public Policy
Real Estate Board of New York
bgerhards@rebny.com