CB2 Recommends Against Residential Rezoning in Dumbo
Community Board 2 came out against the proposed rezoning of a section of Dumbo east of the Manhattan Bridge that is still zoned for manufacturing despite the fact that most heavy industry left the area years ago; though the vote is merely advisory in terms of the legal ULURP process, it is taken into consideration…
Community Board 2 came out against the proposed rezoning of a section of Dumbo east of the Manhattan Bridge that is still zoned for manufacturing despite the fact that most heavy industry left the area years ago; though the vote is merely advisory in terms of the legal ULURP process, it is taken into consideration by the City Council when it makes a final determination. The proposed rezoning would cap new residential buildings at 12 stories, the same height as buildings to the west like 45 Main Street. Nonetheless, the prospect of the change has pitted two vocal neighborhood groups against each other. The Dumbo Neighborhood Association called the rezoning “catastrophic,” according to The Brooklyn Paper, while the Dumbo BID argues that the increase in residents would provide much-needed critical mass for businesses in the area. Where do you stand on the issue?
Update (10:30 a.m.): Granted only 57 votes are in so far, but the fact that more than 80% are in favor at this point raises a larger question of how the Community Board (this or any one) arrives at a vote like this and does it reflect the wishes of the community or just a handful of its most activist members? And should your opinion only matter if you take the time to get involved? Interesting questions.
CB2: Rezoning Elephant in the Room in DUMBO [Brooklyn Paper]
DUMBO’s Future to be Mapped Out with Rezoning [Brooklyn Paper]
Image from The Brooklyn Paper
Build affordable housing!
Rezoning is bad for businesses such as light manufacturing, web development, and graphic artists that need loft space at low prices. They cannot compete with residential use, which is much more expensive per square foot.
If they rezone here, I am afraid they would do it in Bushwick, which would destroy the area by allowing a developer free-for-all to create lofts and turn the area into Soho.
If they just leave things as they are, no one gets hurt.
I could care less if the designer women’s clothing store goes out of business.
With regard to the question of whether or not a community board “reflect the wishes of the community,” I note that Brownie writes,
“The Dumbo Neighborhood Association called the rezoning ‘catastrophic,’ according to The Brooklyn Paper, while the Dumbo BID argues that the increase in residents would provide much-needed critical mass for businesses in the area.”
According to the Brooklyn Paper article, CB2 “narrowly rejected” the rezoning after the board’s land use committee had a “split rejection.” Seems to me that the community board mirrored the larger difference of opinion.
I also don’t think this community board is out of touch. Its a cross section of the community. We tend to hear each other out and respectfully disagree sometimes. Most of the issues reasonable people can disagree and not be out of touch. No one opposes housing but height and bulk is an issue(we tend to like affordable housing too)
I am a member of CB 2. I am for residential rezoning but City Planning refused to accept any change that was proposed. The vote is advisory and sometimes ignored and sometimes listened to(more ignored than listened to).
as for adding people to the Agenda we have open session any one who signs up at the meeting gets to speak for three minutes on anything they want. Sometimes they even get a problem solved as the Community Board does meet with City Agencies over issues. Many times the Board can facilitate communications with those City agencies and the individual having a problem(there was lengthy discussion with a person who is having a problem with a street repaving- the District Manager is working with him and there has been some movement-albeit not as much as he would like or should be).
The Boards work with a minimal staff, little access to experts to assist them but do serve a useful function-come to one and you will see)…
The Walt Whitman park was significantly changed as a result of community input.
Insularity aside (if you don’t like, get on the Board, or at least show up and testify), this sounds like a “no, but…” vote. Since CB’s are advisory, “yes, but…” votes are usually ineffective. I am assuming that the board supported the change of use, but just wanted a lower height (how low?, I don’t know.) So if the board had voted yes, but noted their objection on height, the headline would say “CB2 supports DUMBO rezoning”, and the height issue would get lost. By saying NO, the headline is “CB2 opposes DUMBO rezoning [only] because of height concerns” – their message gets out and isn’t diluted. Question is, will the Council demand that the height be dropped? They are the only ones with the power to say no (and have it mean something).
infinitejester, I can only go based on my experience with my old community board. I believe the vote is only advisory- cb’s are often ignored and have no real power. On the other hand they can be very insular.
I had gone to one meeting to bring up the issue of firehouse closings. The head of the community board said she wanted to put me on the calendar at that meeting., told me to call the secretary the next day. I did and the secretary said she wouldn’t do it. It wasn’t an important issue so i never got calendared. Makes you wonder.
I wonder how “advisory” the vote is: is it taken as a recommendation, or simply an opinion, one of many? Somewhere there is someone to whom the process is as understandable as the last minute of a tied b-ball game is to Bill Walton.
Wonder if there’s any good literature or memoirs out there about “my life on the community board.”
lowintheheights- Nail meet Head.