In 1951, Robert F. Wagner, then the Manhattan borough president, set up 12 experimental “Community Planning Councils” around Manhattan in response to residents’ fears that city officials were giving scant attention to local concerns. The councils advised Wagner on budgetary and planning issues.

When Wagner was elected mayor three years later, he structured a system of “Community Planning Boards,” which were expanded to cover the other boroughs.

In the early 1970s, Mayor John Lindsay, in his second term, created “Little City Halls” in selected areas around the boroughs, and appointed district managers to ensure that city services were properly provided to communities. “Service Cabinets” were also established to improve the organization between higher-up officials and local representatives.

In  1975, an approved City Charter created community boards, ultimately combining the visions of both Wagner and Lindsay. The Charter granted power to the boards to review all special permits, zoning actions, renewal and redevelopment plans, and acquisition and disposition of city property under the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).

The Charter also allowed the community boards to develop and present “197-a Plans” for their districts. These were recommendations on the preservation and enhancement of the communities. While city officials weren’t required to approve any of these plans, they were compelled to review and consider them. Although some of the 197-a plans were successfully accomplished, most continue to be denied to this day. From 1990 to 2006, only seven 197-a plans were approved and carried out by the City.

Not much has changed in the appointment process of community board members in the last 35 years. They are still formed of 50 volunteer members, who are up for reappointment every two years. The City Council nominates half of the board members; the borough president makes the final selection of all 50.All boards have district service cabinets and an appointed district manager, whom they report to.the years, many community boards have been faced with budget cuts – some of the boards in the Bay area are hard-pressed to even buy office supplies.  Today the boards are essentially advisors to the City Council – they have no real power.

Over the years, many community boards have been faced with budget cuts – some of the boards in the Bay area are hard-pressed to even buy office supplies.  Today the boards are essentially advisors to the City Council – they have no real power.

This often proves frustrating to residents, who vent their concerns at the monthly meetings, only to hear the board chair say, “We’ll make a recommendation to the City Council” – if that much.

If the new city charter does dissolve the community boards, we may not be able to tell the difference.