NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has nominated urban planner Meenakshi Srinivasan and two other newcomers to the New York City Planning Commission, while seeking new terms for two current members. The City Council must approve all five nominations.

The appointments come as the commission takes on more authority over certain housing proposals. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, eligible affordable-housing projects in the 12 community districts with the lowest production rates can enter a shorter review process. After advisory reviews by the local community board and borough president, the commission will make the final decision on those projects instead of the City Council.

Srinivasan brings more than 28 years of city government experience in planning, zoning and preservation. She chaired both the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals, which reviews zoning variances, special permits and administrative appeals. She also served as deputy director of the Manhattan office at the Department of City Planning.

After leaving government, Srinivasan advised on housing, commercial, institutional and mixed-use development projects at law firms. She earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in New Delhi and master’s degrees in architecture and city planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mamdani renominated commission Vice Chair Kenneth Knuckles and Anthony Crowell, dean and president of New York Law School. Knuckles previously led the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation and served as deputy Bronx borough president. Crowell served as counselor to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg before joining the law school.

The other new nominees are Margaret Anadu, who leads housing and infrastructure firm One Weaver and previously held senior investment roles at Goldman Sachs, and Julie Stein, executive director of the Union Square Partnership. Stein also spent more than a decade working in urban planning and asset management at the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

The 13-member commission reviews land-use applications and zoning changes that shape where housing, businesses and public facilities can go. Its decisions can affect development across all five boroughs. The City Council’s confirmation process will determine whether the nominees take their seats.