Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront Rezoning News
On Monday, October 26th, the Zoning and Franchises Committee convened 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.
We will keep you informed and welcome the assistance of all who are interested.
Please contact us at CGCORD@GMAIL.COM if you would like to roll up your sleeves and help!
CORD
