New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito has tapped Brooklyn councilman David Greenfield to be the new chairman of the city’s Land Use Committee, a key panel that approves development projects and has veto power over the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposals.

Greenfield represents Brooklyn’s 44th Council District comprising neighborhoods including Midwood, Borough Park and Bensonhurst. Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, said that the industry looked forward to working with Greenfield in his new role.

“We have every expectation that he will be diligent and fair in helping to focus the committee on the important issues facing the city, including creating more good jobs and housing for all New Yorkers,” Spinola said in a statement to Crain’s.

Manhattan Councilman Daniel Garodnick was also selected as the new chair of the city’s economic development committee. Meanwhile, Queens Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras will be the new chair of the city’s finance committee, according to Crain’s. [Crain’s]  – Hiten Samtani