Grand Street Rezoning Approved
This afternoon, the City Council voted to approve the rezoning of Grand Street between Marcy and Berry, and surrounding blocks. The implementation of "contextual zoning" on these blocks will limit building heights to match the surrounding neighborhood fabric. The new zoning also eliminates the much-abused "community facility bonus".
Bldg. 'Cap' in W'burg [NYPost]
Comments (3)
Regarding an earlier post by "plato" attacking one of the supporters of the rezoning - that kind of ad hominem attack against friends and neighbors (be they pro or con) is out of bounds here.
Yes, this is an emotional issue, and passions have been running high on both sides. If you want to post an opinion, feel free, I won't take it down (see here). But please do not use this forum to launch spiteful attacks against your neighbors.
Posted by Yorkton | March 27, 2008 11:52 PM
Posted on March 27, 2008 23:52
Where were you all when they tore down the old dutch mustard building? That was something to preserve.
Why do many people keep repeating the phrase "contextual" zoning? My block has cast iron and other buildings well over 50 feet. This is not the West Village. R6B is West Village-type zoning.
The people who fought for this change never mention that it allows INCREASED commercial development. How fast will the developers turn their huge parcels into parking structures? How "contextual" is that? People who supported this change will regret it soon, but still too late for their neighbors doing reasonable projects.
Posted by unhappy on grand street | March 29, 2008 4:55 PM
Posted on March 29, 2008 16:55
You must be new around here! WPA lobbied the Landmarks Commission to designate Dutch Mustard, to no avail. WPA also worked with the Municipal Art Society to identify a host of potential landmarks, prominent among which was ODM. That's why you see to the right over there with the "Lost" designation.
As for the Grand Street rezoning, we were not involved with it, but do see contextual zoning as an important tool for maintaining the low-scale character of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Grand Street is a wonderful stretch of low-scale mid-19th century buildings, and it would a loss to everyone if it became dotted with highrises like those we are seeing in East Williamsburg and Greenpoint. (It would also be a shame if it became dotted with parking garages - I hope you are wrong about that.)
Posted by Yorkton | March 29, 2008 8:58 PM
Posted on March 29, 2008 20:58