Mayor's Citywide Rezoning Plan Meets Growing Resistance
GVSHP has been fighting the city’s ‘Zoning for Quality and Affordability’ citywide rezoning plan, which would increase allowable building heights in residential neighborhoods, especially in sensitive “contextual zoning” districts we fought hard to achieve, while offering little or nothing in return in terms of quality or affordability. We are pleased to report that our efforts continue to bear fruit – last week Community Board 2 (Greenwich Village/NoHo/SoHo) voted to reject the proposal, as did Community Board 3’s (East Village/Lower East Side) Land Use Committee, with the full board voting tomorrow.
But this is not an isolated trend. GVSHP has been working with a citywide coalition fighting the ‘Zoning for Quality and Affordability’ measure. More than 30 of the city’s 59 community boards have already voted against the plan, with less than a handful voting in favor, and now the Bronx Borough President has also voted it down. Last week more than 150 people packed Borough President Gale Brewer’s public hearing on the measure, with by far the majority calling for it to be rejected.
The remaining Borough Presidents will soon vote on the plan, before it goes to the City Planning Commission (which introduced the measure) for approval and then finally the City Council. This sweeping plan, which would have such a damaging impact upon our neighborhoods, can only take effect if approved by the City Council.
HOW TO HELP:
GVSHP has also developed a handy webpage that debunks the myths and misinformation being spread about ZQA by its proponents, breaking down what it would really do – read it here.
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