Local Architect Chris McVoy reminds CG: Toll Brothers hearing tomorrow Jan 7, 2009

Local Architect Chris McVoy sent this out today:

Dear Neighbors,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Your support in scaling back the Toll Bros development for Marty Markowitz' hearing was fantastic. The nest step in the ULURP process is City Planning

The City Planning hearing on Toll Bros is TOMORROW JANUARY 7 AT 10AM.

NOTICE

363-365 BOND STREET

On Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., in Spector Hall, at the Department of

City Planning, 22 Reade Street, in Lower Manhattan, a public hearing is being held

by the City Planning Commission in conjunction with the above ULURP hearing to

receive comments related to a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

concerning a zoning text amendment and a related zoning map amendment to

change an existing M2-1 zoning district to a Special Mixed Use District (M1-4/R7-2)

for two blocks (Blocks 452 and 458) located along the west waterfront of the

Gowanus Canal in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn Community District 6.

The proposed actions would facilitate a proposal by the applicant, Toll Brothers,

Inc., to redevelop their project site (Block 452, Lots 1 and 15 and Block 458, Lot 1)

with a mix of residential (market rate and affordable), commercial, community

facility, and open space uses. The applicant is also seeking a special permit to modify

height and setback, inner courtyard recess, and rear yards requirements within a

General Large-Scale Development.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/luproc/calbeg.shtml

All the Best,

Chris McVoy

On Nov 17, 2008, at 11:02 PM, Christopher McVoy wrote:

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Many of us in the neighborhood have been working to establish appropriately scaled development on the Gowanus Canal. This rare channel of water in our urban fabric, gradually being cleaned up, has incredible potential for a publicly-accessible urban respite park (last month I met a fisherman who regularly catches striped bass form Carroll bridge!)

City Planning proposes 12 story residential development along the canal south of Carroll Street bridge. Though this re- zoning is not approved, Toll Brothers is moving ahead with plans to build a large development on the canal between 2^nd and Carroll Streets at the 12 story height.

While many of us support re-zoning to allow residential development along the canal, most of us in the neighborhood believe the development should be limited in height so that:

- It has less impact on the adjacent historic 2-4 story brownstone fabric of Carroll Gardens
- It provides necessary sunlight and open sky required for the relatively narrow publicly accessible canal-front park.

To build their project, Toll Bros needs special approval through ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process), which includes approval by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Last week, John Hatheway (architect, member of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and advocate for responsible development for those who don't know him) and I gave the attached presentation to Marty, advocating an 8 story height limit, which allows the same built area and affordable housing as Toll Bros. but at an appropriate height for Carroll gardens and the Gowanus park. He and his staff were receptive. But for Marty to advocate for our proposal, he needs to know that we have support of many in Brooklyn.

If you agree with us PLEASE SEND MARTY AN EMAIL at the below address saying you are “a resident of Carroll Gardens and support John Hatheway and Chris McVoy’s proposal for limiting development on the Gowanus to 8 stories” for reasons above and any others you wish to mention.

askmarty@Brooklynbp.nyc.gov

This is likely our last chance to scale back the development! - and Marty actually reads his emails!

On Wednesday we will give the same presentation at the Borough Pres’ public hearing. It would also be very helpful if any of you could come and voice your support for our proposal at the hearing:

DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

TIME: 5:30 pm

PLACE: Brooklyn Borough Hall

First Floor, 209 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

Thank you!

Chris McVoy

315 Carroll Street