THURS 3/13: Hearing for Proposed Toll Bros GOWANUS PROJECT

pitu

previously discussed and drawing linked here

PSN wrote: Dear Park Slope Neighbor,

1) City Planning Scoping Hearing for Proposed Toll Brothers Gowanus Project, Thursday

Just wanted to remind everyone that the Department of City Planning will be holding a public scoping hearing tomorrow pertaining to the large housing project being proposed by Toll Brothers for a site along the western bank of the Gowanus Canal. A scoping hearing is the first step in the City's land-use review process. The final scoping document sets the "scope," or the parameters for what will be studied in the Environmental Impact Statement.

Toll Brothers Gowanus Scoping Hearing
Thursday, March 13th
2:00 to 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Department of City Planning
Spector Hall
22 Reade Street
Manhattan
[Map]

Toll Brothers only recently revealed details about its plans to build a 577-unit mixed-income project (130 of the units would be below market rate) on a three-acre site along the Gowanus, bordered by Bond, 2nd and Carroll Streets. The development would include buildings ranging from four to 12 stories in height, with the tallest building, at about 125 feet, adjacent to the canal. The project would include a small amount of retail and "community" space, and 260 off-street parking spots.

The developer is seeking a special "spot rezoning" of the parcel in advance of a likely overall rezoning of the Gowanus by City Planning. The Gowanus Lounge has renderings and a map of the project.

More information, including downloads of the Draft Scoping document and scoping meeting protocol, and contact information, is available at the Department of City Planning website. Written comments regarding the draft scope can be submitted through March 24th.

If you're interested in the future of the Gowanus Canal, you might want to attend the hearing or submit comments. The City's willingness to consider a special rezoning for one site seems backward; some critics believe that a multi-agency Master Plan for the entire Gowanus should be put into place before any rezoning is undertaken. Count us among them.


2) DDDB Community Meeting & "Atlantic Yards" Update, March 13th, 7 p.m.

Speculation continues to increase that Forest City Ratner's "Atlantic Yards" project could be falling prey to the triple-whammy of a slowing economy, the crisis in sub-prime mortgages and the global credit crunch. Big real estate deals in New York City and around the country are foundering, and with the resignation today of Governor Eliot Spitzer, a supporter of the project, the fate of "Atlantic Yards" grows just a bit more uncertain.

All of which makes this Thursday's DDDB meeting especially relevant.

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn will provide the latest on the community's fight against the "Atlantic Yards" project, including news on the legal and political efforts to fundamentally alter it or stop it, and an update on the UNITY Plan, the community's alternative plan for developing the rail yards with a big dose of affordable housing and community-friendly open space andwithout the abuse of eminent domain. City and State elected officials will speak, and will be available for questions and answers.

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Community Meeting
Thursday, March 13th, 7:00 p.m.
Hanson Place United Methodist Church
144 Saint Felix Street (enter at Hanson Place)
Fort Greene