Gail Benjamin, Commission Chair

Appointed by Council Speaker Corey Johnson

Gail worked on land use matters for 36 years, and was the Director of the New York City Council Land Use Division for 25 years before she retired. In that capacity, she provided advice, analysis, and expertise to the Speaker of the Council, the chairs of the Land Use Committee and Subcommittee, and the 51 members of the Council. She oversaw the council’s approval of New York University’s 2012 expansion, the rezoning of Hudson Yards, and a housing project at the site of the Domino Sugar factory in Brooklyn.

Prior to her time at the Council, Gail served as Co-Director of the City Environmental Review Procedure and as a Representative to the now-defunct NYC Board of Estimate. She continues to be actively involved in land use and serves on several committees and boards.