New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has nominated Meenakshi Srinivasan to the New York City Planning Commission recognizing her extensive experience in urban planning, land use and zoning.
Her nomination announced Oct. 21 comes as the city confronts a housing crisis and places renewed importance on planning decisions that influence development across its five boroughs.
Srinivasan, who spent more than 28 years in city government before moving into private-sector advisory work, welcomed the opportunity to contribute her expertise to help address the city’s housing crisis.
Srinivasan previously held leadership positions at two city agencies responsible for preservation and land-use matters. She chaired the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission from July 2014 to June 2018 and according to the mayor’s office, she overhauled preservation strategies and introduced regulatory and transparency reforms during her tenure.
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Before that, she served as chair of the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals from January 2004 to July 2014. The board handles matters including zoning variances, special permits and administrative appeals. Her work also included implementing agency rules, application standards and online resources.
Earlier in her career, Srinivasan worked at the New York City Department of City Planning, serving as deputy director of its Manhattan office from 1990 to 2003.
After leaving city government, she worked as a senior land-use and zoning adviser at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP from September 2018 to December 2023. She has since advised on housing, mixed-use, commercial and institutional projects through land-use and public-strategy practices.
Her nomination has received support from organizations involved in housing and regional planning.
Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York, praised the nominees’ professional backgrounds and urged the City Council to confirm them. She specifically highlighted Srinivasan’s decades of experience in the city’s planning and land-use agencies.
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Maulin Mehta, New York director of the Regional Plan Association, also welcomed Srinivasan’s nomination, alongside those of Margaret Anadu and Julie Stein. He also welcomed the reappointments of Kenneth Knuckles and Anthony Crowell.
The 13-member City Planning Commission reviews land-use applications submitted by city agencies, elected officials, community boards and private property owners.
Its decisions help determine where housing and businesses can be built and influence neighborhood development, infrastructure, open spaces and climate-resilience investments.
Srinivasan is one of five people nominated by Mamdani. The mayor also nominated Anadu and Stein and proposed reappointing Knuckles and Crowell.
The nominations require City Council approval.