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PRESENTATION

Zoning changes and proposed development overview

0:43:06

·

5 min

Richard Lobel explains the four main actions in the application, including zoning changes, mandatory inclusionary housing, and special permits. He then provides an overview of the proposed development, which includes two new buildings.

  • Rezoning from R6A and R6B to R73 C24 and R73
  • Special permits for height and setback requirements and parking reduction
  • Ninth Street building: 17 stories, 100% affordable, approximately 100 units
  • Tenth Street building: 19 stories, mixed-income, approximately 205 units
Richard Lobel
0:43:06
What are we seeking to do here?
0:43:07
There are 4 actions that are part of this application.
0:43:09
The first is to change existing r 6a zoning districts to R73 C24 to change an existing R6A to R73 and an existing R6B to an R73 zoning district As we go over the area map, we'll talk about why it's particularly appropriate on this large site, which is adjacent to multiple transportation options including on the block itself, as well as a street system, which allows for access by 3 wide streets on this block.
0:43:39
The second action would be to allow for the r 73 district to be mapped within this area of community district 6.
0:43:47
Including an amendment to appendix F, which would, of course, require mandatory inclusionary housing on the site with the options as was previously discussed by the council member.
0:43:58
The 3rd discussion here and the 3rd action would be a special permit pursuant to 74, 743.
0:44:05
Which would allow for the large scale special permit to alter certain height and setback requirements.
0:44:11
Paul can discuss a little bit more with regards to his presentation about why it's important on this large site to have those waivers in order to be able to locate on what is a very challenging site built over an MTA tunnel.
0:44:23
And finally, there's a special permit with regards to the reduction of required parking here for the existing development, the reduction would be from 77 spaces to 39 parking spaces and to waive all accessory parking spaces for the new market weight rate units.
0:44:40
As would be permitted by the special permit.
0:44:42
Next slide is the proposed development.
0:44:44
What would be the sum total in terms of the resulting development here?
0:44:49
We would create 2 new buildings.
0:44:51
On the Ninth Street building would be a building with roughly 76,000 square feet, a 17 story mixed use commercial and residential building.
0:44:59
This building would be 100% affordable and would provide approximately a 100 dwelling units reserved for seniors and families.
0:45:05
Again, this would cap out with incomes up to 50% adjusted median income.
0:45:10
And finally, the 10th Street building, this would be a roughly 168,000 square foot building at 19 stories with community facility on the ground floor.
0:45:19
This would provide roughly 205 dwelling units of which approximately 62 would be affordable.
0:45:25
Again, we have a lot to talk about in terms of the proposed affordability, which will be on some of the later slides.
0:45:31
The next slide shows the project area.
0:45:33
Just to give context in terms of the surrounding properties and avenues.
0:45:38
We note that 4th avenue here on the recent Galanos rezoning was rezoned to a C44d, including 4 portion of our block.
0:45:46
C44d currently allows for a floor area ratio greater than would be permitted under the RNA equivalent up to an 8.5.
0:45:53
So there is intended development along Fourth Avenue that would rise to heights and really specifically bulks much greater than what is allowed at the existing site.
0:46:03
That's why the choice of zoning district here in R73 works well Again, we'll talk about that in terms of the area map.
0:46:10
But you can see just from this picture, this eagle eye view that there is development in the area, which creates context here not the least of which is an existing 18 story building on our block, which would set the context for our development.
0:46:24
Next slide is the zoning map.
0:46:26
Again, demonstrating the bifurcation of our site between r 6aandr6p districts.
0:46:33
One can note again the C4 4d along 4th Avenue to the West on our block as well as on a small sliver of the project site itself, as well as the C43A along 5th Avenue here in R6A equivalent.
0:46:47
The site itself, R6A and R6B, although with no commercial overlay, and the commercial overlay would allow for commercial uses on the south side of Ninth Street here along the project site as well discussed when we see the area map.
0:47:01
Next slide is the tax map, which shows with a little bit more specificity the site itself.
0:47:06
One can see roughly 245 feet of frontage along Ninth Street, and roughly 400 or a little over 500 feet of frontage along 10th Street here, rather large site, which allows us to apply for the large scale.
0:47:19
Special permit.
0:47:20
The next slide is the Aerie Map, which as mentioned earlier, really shows why this rezoning from a landing's perspective makes so much sense Again, you start with the C43A district on the eastern portion of the block.
0:47:33
This allows for R6A and FAR with conclusionary or mandatory affordability, which would have allowed for 3.6 and the C44 d to the west, which would allow for an 8.5 as discussed.
0:47:47
The R73 here at the site would allow for a moderate FAF6 which provides an excellent transition as you go up the block from 5th Avenue to 4th Avenue.
0:47:58
Again, looking at the street system in the area, 5th Avenue, a wide street at 80 feet wide, 9th Street, a a commercial corridor here at a 110 feet wide, and 4th Avenue, an extra wide street at a 120 feet wide.
0:48:11
This is a rare opportunity to allow for development on a site which is currently underutilized, and it's an appropriate spot to place these additional buildings.
0:48:20
You already have existing contacts in terms of the 18 story building.
0:48:24
You've got phenomenal transportation options in the area.
0:48:27
Two subways, existing on the block.
0:48:29
Additional two subways within one block or three blocks to the east and bus lines as well.
0:48:35
So really, it presents a unique opportunity in terms of what you can bring to a neighborhood on a site which is underutilized like this.
0:48:43
I would now hand the presentation over to Paul who'll discuss historical context as well as some of the architectural challenge challenges posed by this difficult site.
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