#Jumaane Williams nominating Cea Weaver to City Planning Commission

Public advocate Jumaane Williams is set to nominate a left-wing activist and tenant  advocate to the City Planning Commission, The Post has learned.

Williams plans to appoint Cea Weaver — campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All, a statewide coalition of tenant groups — to the 13-person commission.

Weaver, 32, has called for rent strikes by tenants and an eviction ban due to COVID-19.

“Cea Weaver is one of New York’s leading housing and progressive policy activists who has fought for equity on behalf of individuals and communities alike, and our office is proud to have worked with her in these fights,” Williams’ spokesman, William Gerlich, told The Post Saturday.

“The City Planning Commission is an instrument of real power with the ability to shape the future of our city in a progressive direction, to create change in this moment of crisis, and for years to come.”

Describing evictions as “violent,” Weaver successfully pushed for a state law signed by Gov. Cuomo putting a “pause” on evictions amid the pandemic.

She also supported the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020, a bill that died last year but is expected to be reintroduced in January by state Sen. Julia Salazar, (D-Brooklyn).

The bill would halt evictions and foreclosures until the end of the pandemic — plus one year to give tenants and homeowners time to catch up financially. It would compensate landlords for loss of income, but give priority to “small mom and pops” before big companies. 

Weaver — a member of the NYC local of the Democratic Socialists of America — has said she believes housing is a right, and suggested that landlords “should not be profiting off something people deeply need.”

She endorsed the successful push to stop Amazon from building a second headquarters in Queens.

Weaver said Saturday she is weighing the nomination — which must be approved by the City Council — while undergoing a city background check.

“Ultimately, when it comes to matters of land use in New York City, my goal is to ensure that public land and public resources are used for the public good,” she said.

Supporters hail Weaver’s courage in standing up for the little guy against powerful corporate interests.

Critics contend Weaver is bad for NYC’s comeback after the city lost billions of dollars in revenue due to the pandemic.

“With New York confronting an economic crisis of historic proportion, it would be unfortunate if the City Planning Commission became another vehicle to block the creation of good jobs and much-needed housing and investment,” James Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, said in a statement to The Post. 

“It would be a significant setback for the City’s recovery.”

Williams can appoint one of 13 members on the planning commission.

The mayor appoints the chairperson, who also serves as city planning director, and six other members. The five borough presidents each appoint one member. The chair serves at the mayor’s pleasure, while the other 12 commissioners sit for staggered terms of five years.

The commission oversees the city’s growth and development in the areas of housing, business, industry, transportation, recreation, culture and health care.