I always wonder how you would do it. The city's ULURP gives the community maximum input. It doesn't give them control. The fact that certain people in the community don't like the outcome doesn't mean they weren't heard. Contrast it with the farce called the state process and its eons ahead. Finally for the most part if you took a vote of the effected communities that you cite you will find the vast majority support it. Yes there is a vocal minority that is against anything- no matter who starts it or votes for it. The Problem with Atlantic Yards more so that any other is that the community was totally disregarded as were the local politicians as well. Sure in the end if there was a vote at the City Council the basic plan for the arena would have been passed but there would be more open space less large signs(the city sign regs were over ruled by the State for some god forsaken reason) and a less dense development. The first casualty will be the affordable housing at AY and the current process does not guarantee the affordable housing will ever be built. You could be sure the City process would have demanded more from the developer no matter who you claim he paid off. Given NY city campaign financing many of the City Council people and most of the Boro presidents are not beholden to a small section of the community and frankly since the people who did the most supporting of AY Dan Doctoroff and the Mayor need no campaign contributions to get where they were you comments beyond being insulting of decent public servants are just wrong.