Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Community Board?

New York City is divided into 59 geographic Community Districts, each one having a respective Community Board. The Community Boards are municipal bodies of up to 50 representative Board Members. Board Members are appointed by their respective Borough President. Half of them are appointed at the recommendation of their local City Council Member. They serve in a voluntary capacity for two year staggered terms. Board Members are your neighbors - people who live, work, own a business, or have some other significant interest in the Community District. The Community Board hires a District Manager who is responsible for running the District Office.

What does the Community Board do?

The Community Board is the official municipal body whose primary mission is to advise elected officials and government agencies on matters affecting the social welfare of the district.

When and where does the board meet?

Community Board 6 meets at Kew Gardens Community Center, Room 202 / 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. Meetings are normally the Second Wednesday of each month except July and August.
Visit the Upcoming Events page for the next meeting date and time.

How can I become a Board Member?

If you live or work within our boundaries, you can fill out an application and return it to the Borough President for approval. You can obtain an application from the Borough President's Office directly or through the Community Board Office.

How are Community Board members appointed?

Each Community Board is made up of unsalaried members appointed by the borough president in consultation with the council members of the district. Board members must reside, work or possess a specific interest in the community they represent. Membership is limited to 50. Applications for membership are available at the CB office.

What issues does Community Board 6 get involved in?

Community Boards in general have three distinct areas of focus - land use, budget and service delivery. Community Board 6, in its advisory capacity, sponsors public meetings where topical issues involving the projects, programs and policies that affect the district will be presented, discussed and at times debated in an open forum.

Land Use
The Community Board routinely reviews applications that involve the acquisition, disposition and/or significant change of use of City-owned properties. It hosts Public Hearings and sponsors open meetings to discuss and formulate recommendations on land use matters coming before it. The Community Board is the first stage at which land use matters are formally reviewed in accordance with the City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).
In addition to matters pertaining to City property, the Community Board also reviews items related to private properties where property owners are seeking approval to use, develop or otherwise modify a property in a way that would not automatically be allowable under the property's zoning designation. Other forms of land use reviews may involve properties in Landmark Districts or voluntary informational presentations by property owners.
Budget
The Community Boards are required to submit to the Mayor and City Council their Capital and Expense budget priorities for consideration in the formulation of the City's budget. Community Board 6 is constantly receiving input from the public on projects, programs and services that are needed within the district. While the Community Board submits budget priorities for consideration, the final decision is made by the Mayor and City Council, with input from the Borough President.
Service Delivery
The day-to-day processing of citizen complaints and requests for municipal services are handled by the District Office under the supervision of the District Manager. The District Office is prepared to take complaints and requests for service from any constituent of the district. It is important to contact the District Office with complaints and requests for services so that the Community Board can monitor and work toward improving service delivery in the district. Calls such as these also provide the Community Board with important indicators of the levels of resources that might be most needed in the district, reflected by the types of calls received.

Do I have to be a Member of the Board to participate in meetings?

Community Board 6 Meetings are open to the public; you don’t have to be a member. However, only board members can vote on a specific issue at a meeting.