As we have been reporting, Community Board 3 meets tonight to vote on the Seward Park Mixed-Use Development Plan. Board members will be asked to approve the city’s land use proposal for the large site near the Williamsburg Bridge, before the proposal goes to the Borough President.
Late yesterday, CB3 posted on its web site the draft resolution that will be considered this evening. It approves the Seward Park Plan, but lays out a number of “conditions.” Last week, the land use committee voted 13-9 (with one member not voting) in support of the proposed resolution.
Here are some of the key conditions detailed in the document:
- A requirement that the affording housing built on the parcels remain affordable forever, as opposed to 60 years as the city has proposed.
- A provision requiring developers to include housing, including 50% affordable housing, in each phase of construction.
- The creation of a task force made up of up to seven community board members, representatives of local City Council members, a representative of the Borough President and two representatives of two local “stakeholder groups.” The advisory task force would have a role in drafting selection criteria for developers and would review development proposals.
- A requirement that the project must include multiple developers rather than a single developer.
- The removal of language in the land use document allowing “big box” stores.
- A requirement that the city/developers pay relocation expenses for Essex Street Market vendors and that rents be maintained more-or-less at their current levels. The resolution indicates that CB3 approves of the city’s plan to demolish the current market and relocate it on the south side of Delancey Street in a new building.
- A “preference” for at least 50% local hiring during construction and by businesses leasing space in the Seward Park project.
- The inclusion in the land use plan of a new public school.
You can read the entire 15 page document here. CB3 meets in Henry Street Settlement’s gym, 301 Henry Street, at 6:30 p.m.
