Members of the Land Use Committee of West Harlem’s Community Board 9 quickly addressed a contentious staffing change on Tuesday night, even before they finished roll call.

“I’m Victor Edwards, chair of the board. I’ve lived here for 45 years and served on the board for 13,” Edwards began. “And I just want to say thank you to our co-chairs for their outstanding work—so outstanding, in fact, that they won’t be reappointed to this board.”

Tiffany Khan, another committee member, added, “When you make good trouble, this is what happens.”

Liz Waytkus and Signe Mortensen, co-chairs of CB9’s Housing, Land Use, and Zoning Committee, were informed on May 9 that they would not be reappointed for the coming year.

To them, the reason is clear: the board had scrutinized developers and slowed their projects, angering pro-development local elected officials, including City Councilmember Shaun Abreu and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.

“We’re not here to serve elected officials,” Waytkus said at the meeting. “We’re here to serve the community.”

This marks the latest chapter in a pattern of Manhattan Borough President Levine reshaping community boards to further his housing agenda. Levine, who has the final say on board appointments, has faced accusations of pushing out those who challenge development plans. Last summer, The New York Times reported that Levine had made reshaping the boards a priority to achieve his housing goals, describing it as an area where he “has some direct levers to pull.” Critics have accused Levine of self-interest, given his ties to the real estate industry, and the influx of pro-housing members—many affiliated with the nonprofit group Open New York—has led to resignations on other boards in Manhattan. Read more…