A hearing on the 962-972 Franklin Avenue rezoning proposal in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The contentious project proposes a 14-story mixed-use building with 355 residential units, including 106 affordable units.

Discussions focused on:

• The project's potential as the first residential union-built, financed, and operated development in NYC
• Workforce housing options
• Shadow impacts on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• The balance between affordable housing needs and preserving cultural institutions.

Key debates included the actual extent of shadow impacts, financial viability at different densities, and appropriate income levels for affordable units.

Features testimony from the developer, Brooklyn Botanic Garden representatives, union representatives, and the public.

A hearing on two proposed bills:

• Intro 925, mandating annual inspections of steam radiators in multiple dwellings, especially in units with children under 6
• Intro 429, addressing gas piping systems, plumbing regulations, and reestablishing the plumbing licensing board

Discussions focused on:

• Improving safety measures in aging housing stock
• Challenges in implementing new inspection requirements
• The need for clearer regulations in plumbing and gas piping work.

The hearing also addressed recent tragic deaths due to faulty radiators and debated the effectiveness of current complaint-based systems versus proactive inspections.

Features testimony from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Department of Buildings (DOB), affected families, industry representatives, and the public.

A hearing on resources available in New York City for immigrant youth who arrived as unaccompanied children.

Discussions focused on:

• The significant increase in unaccompanied minors
• Gaps in services including lack of age-appropriate shelter and legal representation
• Challenges in accessing education and healthcare
• The need for improved interagency coordination

Features testimony from:

• Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)
• Administration for Children's Services (ACS)
• Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)
• Legal service providers
• Community organizations
• The public