2 1/2 is the average number of years it takes a private rezoning application to get approved in New York City, and that doesn't include the often lengthy informal pre-review negotiations. This is one of many findings in CBC's report "Improving New York City's Land Use Decision-Making Process," which can be found at cbcny.org. At a special panel discussion, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, delivered opening remarks on the Administration's efforts to tackle New York's housing challenges, followed by a policy panel steeped in experience with New York City's land use process.