2 1/2 is the average number of years it takes a private rezoning application to get approved in New York City, and that doesn't include the often lengthy informal pre-review negotiations. This is one of many findings in CBC's report "Improving New York City's Land Use Decision-Making Process," which can be found at cbcny.org. At a special panel discussion, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, delivered opening remarks on the Administration's efforts to tackle New York's housing challenges, followed by a policy panel steeped in experience with New York City's land use process, including:

• Vicki Been - Former Deputy Mayor; Faculty Director, NYU Furman Center;

• Margaret Chin - Former Member, New York City Council, District 1;

• Jacob Elghanayan – Senior Vice President, TF Cornerstone;

• Dan Garodnick - Chair, City Planning Commission;

• Michelle de la Uz - Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee;

• RuthAnne Visnauskas - President/CEO, NYS Homes & Community Renewal; and

• Ben Max - moderator & Executive Editor, Gotham Gazette

The episode closes with a presentation of the report's findings by Sean Campion, CBC's Director of Housing and Economic Development Studies.