TESTIMONY
Laura Spalter, Representative of Broadway Community Alliance, on Opposition to 'City of Yes for Economic Opportunity' Zoning Proposals
6:10:37
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137 sec
Laura Spalter, representing the Broadway Community Alliance, opposes the 'City of Yes for Economic Opportunity' zoning proposals due to their negative impacts on community quality of life and small businesses.
- Speaks for a coalition of 29 organizations against the one-size-fits-all zoning proposals, affecting diverse neighborhoods.
- Details concerns over increased commercial development in residential areas, bringing traffic, garbage, and harming local businesses.
- Criticizes the Department of City Planning's review process and the potential for developments to be expedited without proper oversight.
- Warns of increased competition for small businesses, raising rents, and changing the character of neighborhoods.
- Urges the city council to reject these zoning proposals, emphasizing the need to protect community interests and small businesses.
Laura Spalter
6:10:37
Hello.
6:10:37
My name is can you hear me?
Kevin C. Riley
6:10:39
Yes.
6:10:39
We can hear you, Laura.
Laura Spalter
6:10:40
Okay.
6:10:41
My name is Laura Spalter.
6:10:43
I am speaking on behalf of the Broadway community alliance and Protectron's neighborhoods from Okta Development.
6:10:49
A coalition of 29 organizations united in our opposition to these one size fits all zoning proposals.
6:10:57
Our coalition spans unique neighborhoods from Allerton, City Island, Ferry Point, Mashilo Parkway, Rochester, Phelan Parkway, Pelham Bay, Riverdale, Pike And Dival, Mid Concourse, Mars, Park, Van Ness, Broad's Neck, Wakefield, Woodlawn, and Westchester Square.
6:11:15
We oppose city of yes for economic opportunity because it erases zoning protections by allowing 20 100 square feet of commercial development and residential neighborhoods were currently prohibited.
6:11:28
This is problematic because commercial businesses are accompanied by increased garbage, truck deliveries, traffic congestion, signage, etcetera.
6:11:37
We oppose the change to allow 15,000 square feet of commercial development.
6:11:42
If a developer combines lots to a mass 1.5 acres of property, This will surely incentivize developers to tear down private homes in low density neighborhoods for commercial use.
6:11:54
We question DCP's so called process, including environmental and community board review.
6:12:01
Inevitably, developers will issue a net deck.
6:12:04
Community boards are only advisory, and these developments will be rubber stamped and forever negatively impact our community's quality of life.
6:12:14
Why does DCP want to promote extending commercial businesses into residential neighborhoods when there's already a 12% retail vacancy rate.
6:12:23
These new businesses will compete with our current shopping areas and hurt our small businesses, including mom and pop stores.
6:12:31
Likewise, under the law of unintended consequences, allowing industrial and manufacturing uses into commercial zones increases the demand for space and will raise rents for our small businesses.
6:12:45
The devil's in the detail.
UNKNOWN
6:12:46
Time has expired.
6:12:47
Thank you.
Laura Spalter
6:12:48
They are lacking.
6:12:50
We urge the city council to reject these proposals.
6:12:53
Thank you.