The Q has already delved into the reality of the privately proposed rezoning of areas near Franklin Avenue just north of Spice Factory, by Cornell Realty. The fact remains that even this requested doubling of currently allowed density AND height is really just the beginning. Once these structures are built, there's more land that's part of the rezoning (including the Spice Factory itself) that could legally reach similar heights. This is about as big a change for the SoCro NoLeGa area (South Crown Heights, North Lefferts Gardens) as this bad hombre can imagine. Add to that recently filed demo permits to tear down the old Toomey's to make way for residential, and it appears that MTOPP or no MTOPP, developers find this part of the borough WAY too tempting to pass up. Being near the Garden is certainly a plus. But Garden views? Now that's something to sell, no? Hell you can see all of NYC from up there, since we're near the highest point in Kings County. A rough sketch below. Remember, Tivoli and Ebbets already exist and are prominently pictured. Clearly the point of the sketch was to show that the new buildings aren't even that high comparatively.
Cornell will obviously make use of the density and height bonuses allowed by including dozens of below-market apartments. That's the good part. The bad part, or the part that most members of the ULURP found galling at its last meeting, we the proposed wall of buildings that will become part of your eastward view from the garden itself. Parking, dear parking, was also decried as a major concern, though I suspect lots will be created underground. Infrastructure etc. etc. etc. Remember, the neighborhood already said "no" to redoing the infrastructure under Washington and Franklin when CB9 went apeshit over a proposed rebuilding of the corner at Empire/Wash/Franklin.
Bottom line - if your City Councilperson (Cumbo) and BP (Adams) approve of this idea, there's not much you or I or anyone else can say about it. Expect big, big protests at Community Board meetings, and more than a few public "actions."
Also...where does the BBG stand in all of this?
The City itself seems to think the project will cause little harm. According to DNA Info, the Dept of City Planning let the project move forward and into the ULURP stage, meaning...here we go!
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| More info on the project from YIMBY's Rebecca Baird-Remba |
Bottom line - if your City Councilperson (Cumbo) and BP (Adams) approve of this idea, there's not much you or I or anyone else can say about it. Expect big, big protests at Community Board meetings, and more than a few public "actions."
Also...where does the BBG stand in all of this?
The City itself seems to think the project will cause little harm. According to DNA Info, the Dept of City Planning let the project move forward and into the ULURP stage, meaning...here we go!