A press release from CORD, a group in Carroll Gardens dedicated to historic preservation and contextual development, about Monday's hearing with the Zoning and Franchises Committee of the City Council.
at City Hall to hear testimony and vote upon the long awaited rezoning
of Carroll Gardens.
The preservation motivated proposal, specifically designed to maintain
neighborhood character, called for a contextual rezoning of Carroll
Gardens and the Columbia Waterfront area.
As at each of the public hearings held during this months long
ULURP process, overall approval of the plan was expressed by residents
through testimony given in front of the committee. And also, as at each
of the public hearings, along with the overall approval expressed,
there was also an expression of disappointment and concern that some of
the contextual rezoning, which we had all hoped would be, in effect, a downzoning, actually turned out to be an upzoning, on certain streets.
Although we were unsuccessful in getting the plan modified during
the ULURP, two wonderful things happened…..the first was the united
neighborhood that spoke up in a single voice; the second, an idea grew
that could provide a solution, not immediately, but something that
could definitely be worked on and that held great promise for our
neighborhood and maybe even for other, similar neighborhoods in the
borough.
City Planning has explained many times that zoning is not perfect
and that they must use the tools available to them to get the best fit
possible for all of the many communities throughout the city.
The
new idea…..let's give City Planning some new tools for their"
toolbox". Let's get some urban planners, architects, perhaps a
developer or two and concerned residents involved in coming up with a
brownstone district friendly category….one that allows for moderate
expansion but does not threaten the destruction of the streetscape or
alter the character/integrity of the building or its neighbors. Perhaps
even include a design review component whereby making the character of
a brownstone type community part of its zoning regulations
So, it was with this ambitious idea in mind, that members of
CORD, CGNA and other residents addressed Councilman Tony Avella's
committee and we are happy to report that the idea was very well
received.
The Zoning and Franchises Committee voted in favor of the rezoning
proposal. The proposal has since gone to the City Council where it was
quickly adopted on October 28, 2009.
Councilman Avella expressed great interest in the plan to form a
new zoning category.CORD has already begun to mobilize. We already have
a commitment from two respected urban planners to work with us as well
as architects and concerned residents. We will be reaching out to City
Planning for much needed help.