Coming up next week, Community Board 3 will be voting on two zoning text amendments the de Blasio administration is trying to push through citywide. They have met with resistance in many neighborhoods. The Lower East Side is no exception.
One proposal calls for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing in communities in where large-scale rezonings take place. The other is called Zoning for Quality and Affordability and would allow for increased building heights and other design changes. CB3 is already on the record opposing an earlier version of the Zoning for Quality and Affordability plan. Over the summer, the board approved a resolution criticizing the proposal on several fronts.
CB3 cited the “one size fits all” nature of the plan without regard to neighborhood character. It also raised concerns about increasing height limits in contextual districts without providing any guarantees that developers would build new affordable housing. Many board members fear that the changes would encourage property owners to step up harassment of tenants and to displace more rent stabilized residents. They have been skeptical of assurances from city officials that efforts would be made to prevent harassment.
CB3’s land use committee is scheduled to vote on the proposals next Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Project Renewal, 333 Bowery. Separately, the Manhattan Borough President will be holding a public hearing Monday, November 16 from 6-8 p.m., at 10 East 15th St.
All 59 New York City community boards, as well as the borough presidents, must submit their recommendations by the end of this month. As part of the city’s land use review process, the City Council will be weighing in, as well. Local Council members Margaret Chin and Rosie Mendez have said they will reserve judgment until CB3 votes next week.
Posted below, you’ll find the Department of City Planning’s fact sheet on impacts of the “quality housing” proposal in Community District 3.
