As part of her 2026 State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the “Let Them Build” agenda, proposing reforms to accelerate housing and infrastructure development and reduce project costs. The initiative focuses on targeted State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) amendments and executive actions to streamline approvals for qualifying projects while maintaining environmental protections.
- Categorical relief for certain housing projects. Eligible housing developments would be permitted to avoid additional environmental review if developers demonstrate they don’t have significant environmental impacts, comply with local zoning, water, air and environmental justice requirements, and are not located in flood zone areas. Eligibility would be location based, with building size caps in New York City, and, elsewhere in the state, requirements that projects be located on previously disturbed land, connect to existing water and sewer infrastructure and comply with unit caps.
- Fast tracking projects on previously disturbed land. Certain projects would receive expedited review, including clean water infrastructure with minimal natural resource impact, green infrastructure and nature based stormwater management projects, public parks, recreational bike and pedestrian paths and new or renovated day care centers.
- SEQRA timeline caps. A two year maximum deadline would be established for completion of an environmental impact statement, measured from the issuance of a positive declaration through the issuance of a final agency decision.
- Generic Environmental Impact Statements (GEISs). The Department of Environmental Conservation would be directed to prepare GEISs for certain categories of renewable energy and housing projects. These comprehensive reviews are intended to facilitate faster environmental review while supporting informed site selection and upfront planning.
- Agency process reviews and tracking systems. State agencies would be required to conduct end to end evaluations of their permitting and environmental review processes and identify opportunities to reduce delays and regulatory barriers, with recommendations due by Sept. 1, 2026. Agencies would also develop systems to allow applicants to track permits and review statuses.
- Local capacity building. The State would work with Regional Economic Development Councils to share best practices and provide training and technical assistance to local governments on SEQRA implementation.
Harris Beach Murtha’s Commercial Real Estate Practice Group is monitoring Hochul’s proposals and related matters. For further details on how this proposed legislation might impact your projects, or if you have questions for our Commercial Real Estate lawyers, please reach out to attorney Michael A. Discenza at (212) 912-3605 and mdiscenza@harrisbeachmurtha.com; attorney Maya E. Massaad at (585) 419-8960 and mmassaad@harrisbeachmurtha.com; or the Harris Beach attorney with whom you most frequently work.
This alert is not a substitute for advice of counsel on specific legal issues.
Harris Beach Murtha’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts, and Newark, New Jersey.
