Big Turnout at City Planning Hearing; January Vote Expected
GVSHP’s testimony being delivered at yesterday's City Planning Commission hearing
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There was a standing-room only crowd at yesterday's hearing on the Trinity Realty’s proposed Hudson Square Rezoning, with many calls for lower height and bulk limits in the rezoning area and landmark protections for the adjacent proposed South Village Historic District.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO TESTIFY OR SHOW SUPPORT, MANY OF WHOM WAITED FOR HOURS TO BE CALLED DUE TO THE HUGE TURNOUT.
City Planning has 60 days to vote, and is expected to do so in January. So far, both Community Board #2 and Manhattan Borough President Stringer have joined GVSHP and fellow community groups to call for the South Village to be landmarked if the Hudson Square rezoning is to be approved, and both have called for lower height limits in the rezoning area. Where the rezoning plan would allow new construction to reach 320 feet -- taller than all buildings in Hudson Square expect Trump SoHo -- Stringer has called for 290 feet, Community Board #2 has called for 250 feet for developments that include affordable housing and 210 feet without, and GVSHP has called for 210 feet. GVSHP has also called for lower bulk limits as well, which would make new buildings less massive, and reduce the impact upon traffic, infrastructure, and open space. Read GVSHP's testimony HERE.
 Assemblymember Glick and representatives of State Senator Duane and Congressmember Nadler also testified calling for South Village landmarking and lower height limits.
After the City Planning Commission votes in January, the City Council will have 60 days to hold a public hearing and make the final decision on the rezoning.
THEREFORE SPEAKER QUINN WILL LARGELY DECIDE WHAT PROVISIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE REZONING, WHETHER OR NOT IT PASSES, AND IF LANDMARK PROTECTIONS ARE GRANTED TO THE SOUTH VILLAGE, WHICH WILL OTHERWISE EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE AND ACCELERATED DESTRUCTION IF THE REZONING IS ADOPTED.
HOW TO HELP:
Find out more about efforts to preserve the South Village HERE and Hudson Square HERE. Support these and other preservation efforts HERE.
Next: 01/23/13
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