@BrooklynCB6 Re: Gowanus Rezoning

My name is Michael Racioppo and I'm the, relatively, new District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6.

I'm posting a letter we sent to the Department of City Planning last week regarding the pending Gowanus rezoning. I’ve placed the text of the letter below, but you can also read it (on letterhead!) by clicking here.

October 18, 2019

Marisa Lago,

Chair Department of City Planning

120 Broadway, 31st Floor New York, New York 10271

Re: Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning

Dear Chairperson Lago:

This past May, Brooklyn Community Board 6 submitted a response to the Draft Zoning Proposal. The Board expressed its appreciation for City Planning’s engagement process and elaborated on our concerns about how stated goals will be realized in practice. Critical items remain that require greater detail and specificity, further DEIS investigations, and clarity on the means and methods for implementation.

While we await ULURP certification and DEIS notice of completion, we are writing again to urge City Planning to adequately address these unresolved issues to ensure that stated objectives will be realized so that the rezoning plan can proceed as envisioned.

Key criteria and goals of the proposed rezoning for which BKCB6 requests that additional details and clarifications, including specific chapters of the DEIS being presented to appropriate CB6 committees, be provided prior to ULURP include:

• Areas outside Gowanus rezoning boundary.
  • NYCHA properties: Wyckoff Gardens, Gowanus Houses, Warren Street: Rezoning must include significant investment in NYCHA properties tied to Gowanus rezoning objectives. The mechanism(s) for this commitment must be spelled out.
  • Gowanus IBZ: Economic incentives and land use actions to support the retention and enhancement of industrial and other manufacturing jobs must be linked to the rezoning and mitigate against loss of the area's manufacturing square footage.
• Economic Diversity: Special Gowanus Mixed Use District:
  • The Non-residential Gowanus Mix of uses must be released for community review with adequate time prior to ULURP. The zoning criteria for the Special Mixed-Use District must be clear and understandable.
  • Requirements that new building, infrastructure and landscape design mitigate impacts on the complex Gowanus Valley ecosystem.
• Infrastructure Network:
  • The infrastructure network (existing and new combined sewer system, transit, utilities, etc.) must be sized to support projected growth of the entire district (including beyond the rezoned area). Where systems are expected to exceed capacity, include requirements for expanding/upgrading networks to avoid unmitigable impacts.
  • The Gowanus rezoning must serve to increase accessibility, specifically to local transit, using the City’s tools to incentivize if appropriate.

C. Sustainable & Resilient Development: (in coordination w/NYCHA & IBZ)

E. Accessibility:

Given the scale and nature of this rezoning, CB6 also requests that DCP schedule, at least, three pre-certification meetings at the Committee level so that we can learn as much as possible about the proposed rezoning and its likely impact on our neighborhood and residents.

Going forward, CB6 is committed to creating an oversight group to help ensure that future development in Gowanus and surrounding areas unfolds as envisioned with respect to affordability, economic diversity, schools, transportation, environmental sustainability, and canal vibrancy.

Most Sincerely,

Peter D. Fleming

Chairperson