TESTIMONY
Layla Passman on Zoning Amendments and Their Impact on Atlantic Avenue and NYCHA Residents
3:54:58
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149 sec
Layla Passman discusses the benefits of zoning amendments for the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District and their potential impact on NIHTA residents.
- Passman thanks the Department of City Planning for their outreach to the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District.
- She supports the tax amendment for preserving the aesthetic and existing special district provisions of Atlantic Avenue.
- Passman highlights how the amendment will allow historic district storefronts to reopen without the 2-year vacancy limit, benefiting legacy businesses.
- She advocates for corner stores in residential areas, enhancing public safety and supporting small business opportunities.
- Passman emphasizes the need for commercial developments in NYCHA Greenspace to directly benefit NYCHA residents, including entrepreneurship opportunities and special lease terms.
Layla Passman
3:54:58
Hello.
3:54:58
My name is Leila Pastman.
3:55:00
I'm the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District.
3:55:04
We thank the Department of City Planning staff for their dedicated outreach to our organization to understand the city of yes for economic opportunities effects on Atlantic Avenue.
3:55:12
Our bid is majorly composed of the of the Atlantic Avenue sub district, which is within the downtown Brooklyn special zoning district.
3:55:19
This special sub district along with the presence of 4, Designated New York City Historic Districts is why Atlantic Avenue is an aesthetically distinct commercial corridor.
3:55:28
As such, we are satisfied that the that the proposed tax amendment will not supersede our special district provisions and that the particular roles for Atlantic Avenue will remain so that our look and feel as a low and regional destination will be preserved.
3:55:42
We welcome the text amendment that will eliminate hindrances for storefronts in historic districts.
3:55:46
Currently, storefronts located in a residential district that are also in a historic district cannot be reoccupied with commercial use if they are vacant for more than 2 years.
3:55:56
This proposal eliminates this arbitrary 2 year deadline and allows our vacant storefronts to reopen.
3:56:01
Commercial activity on Atlantic Avenue dates to the early 18 forties.
3:56:05
Our side streets historically have storefronts as well.
3:56:08
This change will legalize some of our dearest legacy businesses such as Montero Bar, Long Island Bar, and the Brooklyn Heights deli.
3:56:14
And nearly all of our side street businesses between Hicks And Clinton Streets.
3:56:18
We also support allowing new corner stores and residential areas.
3:56:22
Corner stores characterize our district in adjacent neighborhoods, and currently no new stores can open in residential areas.
3:56:28
The current proposal would allow new doors of 2500 square feet or less to open within a 100 feet of an intersection.
3:56:34
This creates new places for small businesses to open and will enhance public safety for having additional lighting on or near corners or blocks.
3:56:43
Finally, Atlantic Avenue serves our neighbors in Wigawana's houses who come to shop and dine.
3:56:47
This proposal introduces commercial uses on nitro campuses for the first time.
3:56:52
Considering the fact that nitro residents have been isolated and marginalized from the commercial conveniences of city life or aids, development of nitrile green spaces for the benefit of an outside commercial space should be strictly and deeply tied to the benefit of nitrile residents.
3:57:05
Examples of this include entrepreneurship opportunities for residents and special lease access in terms of residents, unless this is an opportunity for night to residents to be empowered by the commercial rezoning, we do not support it.
3:57:16
We understand that DCP regulates the use and not the tenant, but as proposed, the text is too vague.
3:57:21
Without explicit provisions for Nitro, the development of Nitro Greenspace does not benefit the local Nitro community enough to merit it.
3:57:27
Thank you.
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Josh Nachowitz, Senior Vice President for Economic Development at the Alliance for Downtown New York, on supporting zoning reforms to encourage diverse and vibrant ground floor retail in downtown Manhattan
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Marcel Negret, Senior Planner at the Regional Plan Association, on Support for the City of Yes for Economic Opportunities Zoning Tax Amendment
