Candidate Name: Zachary Iscol

Office Campaigning for: Comptroller

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION ON THE ROLE OF PUBLIC GREEN SPACES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.

Public open and green spaces play a vital role in the the physical and mental health of New Yorkers, as well as a central role in the balancing of our built environment here in New York City. The pandemic has only made this more clear. They provide opportunities for recreation, community farming, and fresh air for us to recharge. We all have a role to play in this and as Comptroller I would be sure to support our public green spaces.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION ON HOW THE CITY PRIORITIZES PUBLIC OPEN GREEN SPACE AND HOW COMMUNITY GARDENS ARE OFTEN PITTED AGAINST THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

New York City does not have a sustainable or proactive development or growth plan. Our model for city planning is reactive and communities, including community gardens suffer from the effects. In land use or ULURP development scenarios, we routinely see the needs of affordable housing pitted against other needs including existing community gardens. We see shadow studies demonstrate impacts on garden when required by Environmental Impact Studies and community gardens often treated as an afterthought. We need to be forward thinking in our planning and plan ahead, including assessing the needs of each community and minimizing the impacts of any proposed development.

HAVE YOU EVER VISITED ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Yes, I have been to Elizabeth Street Garden on many occasions and will continue to frequent it. As a matter of fact, I have done an interview here and my Humans of New York photo was also taken here (link below). It is an oasis and a place where I can reflect and find stillness in this city and holds a special place in my heart. Its charm is surreal when taken in the context of the surrounding city. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/08/31/humans-of-new-york-decided-to- profile-veterans-the-response-has-been-overwhelming/

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE ALTERNATIVE SITE SOLUTION THAT WOULD USE 388 HUDSON — A GRAVEL- FILLED, CITY-OWNED LOT — TO PROVIDE UP TO 5X THE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WHILE SAVING ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?

I have seen the several alternative sites proposed by Manhattan CB2, including 388 Hudson. It is my belief that there is much underutilized space in this city which would serve our aims if we were to plan better and more efficiently. Comptroller Stringer released a report a few years ago on city-owned lots and what could be done with them. As Comptroller, I would lay out a case for private vacant lots which the city could access and the financial impacts of vacant lots versus acquiring them for the myriad needs of our City for the benefit of New Yorkers. The responsible move would be to utilize 388 Hudson for this development and get more of the needed affordable housing, while still cautiously studying the impacts the project may have on the community.

ESG CURRENTLY HAS A PENDING LAWSUIT TO SAVE THE GARDEN LED BY ATTORNEY NORMAN SIEGEL. IF THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BEFORE THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION, ONCE IN OFFICE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH ESG TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?

As Comptroller, one of my responsibilities will be to oversee claims made on behalf of and against the City and most importantly, to be an effective fiscal steward. I would support ESG to protect and preserve Elizabeth Street Garden by producing a financial impact statement showing the benefit of the Garden in a comprehensive way and also demonstrating what it would mean if the City did not have the Garden. Further, I would to the extent legally allowed, work to support ESG in this effort.

IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU SUPPORT ESG'S PLAN TO SAVE THE GARDEN AS A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW ESG'S FUTURE PLANS FOR SAVING THE GARDEN AS A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST, NYC PARK, OR GREENTHUMB GARDEN HERE: HTTPS://WWW.ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN.COM/FUTURE

Yes

IF YOU ANSWERED "NO" TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY.

N/A

IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU COMMIT TO SAVING ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN IN PERPETUITY?

Yes

IF YOU ANSWERED "NO" TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY.

N/A