Get the ZONING BACK

elsieman7 · October 2005

I've lived in this neighborhood since 1995 - bought a humble 2 bedrm coop back then and have stuck it out. My apt is right off Flatbush Ave. I am horrified by the new construction that has replaced the old Bklyn Tabbie. Wondering if anyone else in the neighborhood is as well?

Long-time in-the-hood realtor Tony Attenbury tells me that the zoning laws changed for Flatbush Ave a couple of years ago - we were all asleep at the wheel - allowing for the taller construction. I am VERY INTERESTED/INVESTED in getting them put back to what they previously were - especially since there are now two properties for sale along Flatbush that are screaming "DEVELOP ME INTO 'SPENSIVE CONDOS" all over them - at the corners of Prospect Pl and Park. btw - the former Big Daddy bldg on Flatbush btwn Park & St. Marks has been sold - prepare yourself for the coming of the "NEW" Flatbush Ave.

I, for one, don't think we should just sit here and TAKE IT. This madness has got to stop! I've got nothing against new development, as long as the SCALE is within reason. When I stopped seeing the sun set and lost my view of the sky bc the Tabbie developer went over five stories, I got pissed.

It's gonna be all about the Community Boards on both sides of Flatbush - anyone else up for the challenge of getting the zoning back to "Reasonable Heights" ? ? ? Ticia?

oiseau · October 2005

The zoning will never come back. It benefits money making people to make tall buildings.

I just hope that new contsruction that has replaced the Brooklyn Tabernacle doesn't have tour buses lined out in front of it on Sundays. Seeing the BK Tabernacle go was great! Alothough that new building may not be aesthetically pleasing, it probably won't bring about all the traffic problems the BK Tab did or all the brain-washed jesus freaks.

elsieman7 · October 2005

Subject: zoning

WHAT? Does apathy rule here? How is it that opinions flow ad naseum when it comes to the newest Prospect Heights bars & restaurants, and yet only one person has responded regarding the (new) zoning on both sides of Flatbush Ave.

Isn't anyone out there besides me concerned about this. Dsn't anyone want to do something about it? Yes, believe it or not folks, your voice does count - the west side stadium didn't die just because of Mr. Silver. The rather vocal and local (little people on the ground like you and me) certainly were part of its demise.

I am interested in working with residents to address both Community Boards (on both sides of Flatbush) as well as to work with Leticia James on this...

Anyone game?

captain m · October 2005

If you have a game plan I will do what I can. Would'nt the first step be to apply pressure to markowitz to clean up the community board?

anonymous · October 2005

If you want my opinion I think it makes sense to upzone major avenues like Flatbush and 4th Ave while maintaining the lower heights on residential streets.

For example, I think what is being proposed in the south slope is pretty good, not great, but pretty good. They are upzoning 4th ave while downzoning from 5th ave to greenwood cemetary. I think they might be going a bit too far with the downzoning, the height limits are very low, but the upzoning on 4th will revitalize the strip and attract new development that will benefit the area. At the same time, the smaller residential streets will maintain their character.

The same is true of Flatbush. A wide street like flatbush can absorb larger developments without them being out of context.

Brooklyn is growing and the right way to grow is up, just so long as it's done right. Keeping buildings to 3 stories on wide streets like flatbush only furthers the housing shortage, pushes prices up and pushes people further out.

Sorry if your view got blocked, however, a revitalized Flatbush ave will increase your property value which will at least make up for any economic loss.

puca · October 2005

]I am on CB8 and active in the Ratner fight and will help in any way I can. I am just stretched so thin right now.
I know that Pintchik has recently been buying property on Flatbush
if that means anything][

pete_c · October 2005

Subject: Ben had a point

I hate to say it but I'd bet the majority of Flatbush-corridor residents would rather fight to keep their own blocks intact (see Schildkraut's plans for that old Greek revival detached house on, what is it, Prospect & Carlton?) and let the development happen along the busy commercial roads.

That said, yes, there needs to be some scale, but everyone needs to be willing to listen to the developers' arguments as well, and not let anger at one particular building, development or developer end the chances of economic recovery and growth for a neighborhood that needs it.

-p

carnivore · October 2005

Ben wrote: If you want my opinion I think it makes sense to upzone major avenues like Flatbush and 4th Ave while maintaining the lower heights on residential streets.

For example, I think what is being proposed in the south slope is pretty good, not great, but pretty good. They are upzoning 4th ave while downzoning from 5th ave to greenwood cemetary. I think they might be going a bit too far with the downzoning, the height limits are very low, but the upzoning on 4th will revitalize the strip and attract new development that will benefit the area. At the same time, the smaller residential streets will maintain their character.

The same is true of Flatbush. A wide street like flatbush can absorb larger developments without them being out of context.

Brooklyn is growing and the right way to grow is up, just so long as it's done right. Keeping buildings to 3 stories on wide streets like flatbush only furthers the housing shortage, pushes prices up and pushes people further out.

Sorry if your view got blocked, however, a revitalized Flatbush ave will increase your property value which will at least make up for any economic loss.

Good points.

tacamahac · October 2005

Ben wrote: it makes sense to upzone major avenues like Flatbush and 4th Ave while maintaining the lower heights on residential streets.
[snip] the upzoning on 4th will revitalize the strip and attract new development that will benefit the area. At the same time, the smaller residential streets will maintain their character.

The same is true of Flatbush. A wide street like flatbush can absorb larger developments without them being out of context.

Changing the zoning made more sense for 4th Ave than for Flatbush Ave. 4th Ave is a wide boulevard (wider than Flatbush) that serves as a border. It divides an industrial area from a residential neighborhood. Increasing housing along 4th Ave may help develop housing along 3rd Ave and in the blocks between--in effect, promoting more housing where little existed. That may help relieve the displacement of lower-income people.

The existing commercial activity along 4th Avenue is heavily car-oriented, not pedestrian-oriented. Inducing a few thousand residents to move to 4th will help add stores to 4th, and 3rd, Aves.

Yet Flatbush Ave stores have been growing ritzier without scads of new luxury residences. The lo-rise streets of Pk Slope and ProHo have not had trouble attracting buyers and their $$. If several other 8-story buildings follow the Brooklyn Tabernacle condos along Flatbush Ave, the character of the blocks adjoining the avenue will change--they no longer will be as quiet and calm as those deeper in ProHo or Pk Slope.

Get the ZONING BACK

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories