Grand Prospect Hall peition

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Grand Prospect Hall peition

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fafner
getting it
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 93

Hello.

Apologies if this has been posted, but I did a search and couldn't find it. As many of you know, Grand Prospect Hall has started the motion rolling to possibly ask the city for a spot variance to build a 11 story hotel with a garage for 400 cars in their current parking lot. As part of this project they will be demolishing two houses on 16th street to make a freight and delivery entrance for trucks.

As residents of the surrounding area after fighting for many years to get the zoning regulations put in place to prevent large out of context condominiums from sprouting up in our neighborhood we are trying to show the city that regulations are there for a reason and the "spot rezoning" of this property should not be allowed.

Basically a spot rezoning is a way to get around the due process of the height and size regulations and would allow this building to be built through a loophole.

As concerned residents of the area we have posted a petition that we are circulating that outlines in detail some of our concerns about the plan. To be clear, we are not against the owners of GPH building, we are just requesting the building be in context with the neighborhood and the impact of such a building be understood before it is permitted without a study.

The online petition is here. Even if you do not want to sign it, I urge you to look through it to see the points we are raising as they impact not only the surrounding area of the project, but could serve as a loophole for other buildings in your area that could utilize the same tactic.

[mods: It would be great to link this to the greenwood heights forum as well if possible]

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Stoney Stomp
getting it
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 60

Signed - happily.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,406

by me also.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
reggi
animal lover at large
Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 108

This is just too much of a large scale project, for our neighborhood. Just thinking about the sewage alone,
is troubling. I signed it earlier today, but could not see how many signatures this petition has
garnered. Keep signing.

Me & Charley Booger Brown

# Posted 2 yrs ago
metalnyc
None Louder
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 151

Hotel should be allowed. Period.

MOD, curious. If if Grand Prospect put a petition to allow the hotel, would you pin that as well?

# Posted 2 yrs ago
fafner
getting it
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 93

Metalnyc, just to clarify, the petition isn't against the hotel, it is against a non-contextual building that is outside the permissible zoning law.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,406

If the hotel were to petition for a back- door zoning variance to allow them to create huge sewage problems, complicate the attempt to cleanup the Gowanus canal, no I personally would not. Perhaps some other mod might. I live in the neighborhood, and will be affected by any mess the new hotel creates.

I say let them go before the zoning board, file their environmental impact statement, and prove their case.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Peanuts
above average
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 577

Signed - with pleasure

Peanuts

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Drano
Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: Jan '06
Posts: 1,670

Not after the way they made my dreams come true.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Karl the Druid
on facebook i am now
Joined: Aug '06
Posts: 1,174

they are waiting

waiting for you

destination: roam

# Posted 2 yrs ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,087

Waiting for You by Seal

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Karl the Druid
on facebook i am now
Joined: Aug '06
Posts: 1,174

glamor and romance

destination: roam

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Anonymous

Posts: 1

whynot_31 said:
Waiting for You by Seal

Thanks you for sharing

__________________
Watch Unknown Online Free

# Posted 2 yrs ago
veets
rocking it
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,535

That Commercial is just too silly! But, The Grand Prospect Hall has provided a service in PS for decades. I can't believe it is that long!

As far as the proposal for changes of this site... too me it is all about the owners making even more money. I salute them for the initial venture, which at that time (the1980's) was monumental but now... just about making more money. I try not to count anyone's money but reality tells me that the owners are well off. But, more is better. I signed petition and will continue to advocate and believe that this is not a good idea.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
xlizellx
rocking it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,580

but now... just about making more money. I try not to count anyone's money but reality tells me that the owners are well off. But, more is better.

So you're against people with a good business model expanding it to make more money? Interesting.
But my main question for that argument is, is there already a hotel very close by? I know when planning my own wedding many guests (understandably) didn't want to travel between reception(open bar) and hotel(bed). If they see that people who may have family/friends not from Brooklyn want to have a wedding there there may be a need for a hotel.

I get the argument about height, sewage, traffic, etc. - but them just wanting to "make more money" and therefore its bad? I don't really get that.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,406

Nothing is wrong with wanting to make more money... unless the greed motivates them to cut corners on compliance with zoning laws and create undesirable consequences such as increased sewage overflows into the Gowanus, etc.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
fafner
getting it
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 93

There are 4 hotels within a 1 mile radius of the proposed hotel for a total of 390 rooms.

This proposed hotel is bigger then the 4 of them combined.

best western prospect park hotel 99 rooms
sleep inn 72 rooms
la quinta inn 72 rooms
hotel le blue 48

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Drano
Meow Wars Veteran
Joined: Jan '06
Posts: 1,670

MOD, curious. If if Grand Prospect put a petition to allow the hotel, would you pin that as well?

no I personally would not. Perhaps some other mod might. I live in the neighborhood, and will be affected by any mess the new hotel creates.

Maybe you should lay the decision off to a disinterested mod next time around.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,406

I haven't stuffed any ballot boxes lately... I'm merely affording people the opportunity to express their opinions if they so choose. I don't see the harm in that.

From your comments, and specifically your desire to prevent people from having the continuing opportunity to sign the petition, it sounds as though you are a whole lot more interested in this matter than I am.

# Posted 2 yrs ago