Q&A
Addressing community facility needs and adjusting rezoning sites
1:39:12
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122 sec
Council Member Marmorato raises concerns about the lack of community centers and libraries, and inquires about potentially removing or adjusting specific sites in the rezoning plan. DCP representatives discuss potential approaches to address these issues.
- No current plans for new libraries or community centers in the affected council districts
- Exploration of community center locations through HPD term sheets for affordable housing projects
- Council member highlights the loss of Van Ness library in 1998 and suggests its reinstatement
- Discussion on potentially removing or adjusting height requirements for sites at Seminole and Morris Park Avenue, and Eastchester Road and Stilwell Avenue
- DCP expresses willingness to consider changes to these sites based on community feedback
Kristy Marmorato
1:39:12
Okay.
1:39:13
Alright.
1:39:15
Thank you.
1:39:15
In Community Board, 11's recommendation, they pointed to the lack of of community centers such as libraries, access, and inadequate community spaces for youth outside of schools and are concerned that the rezoning would elevate these existing issues.
1:39:30
How is the administration planning to address the lack of community investment through this proposal?
Paul Philps
1:39:37
Thank you for that question, council member, duly noted.
1:39:40
So currently, no plans for new libraries community centers in either Council District 13 or 18.
1:39:48
But with this study is engaged with NYPD as I think we mentioned earlier, to understand existing capital needs.
1:39:54
Additionally, we've also engaged with aycd around requests for community centers.
1:39:59
It's com it is common for discussion identification of such facilities to happen as part of conversations between development teams potentially and HPD for projects that seek additional funding in exchange for affordability agreement.
1:40:12
So that's a mechanism where we could certainly explore if they entertain an HPD term sheet to locate a community center.
1:40:19
In 1 of those developments.
1:40:20
Again, the study team has flagged this as a priority for HPD and looks forward to future conversations as concrete development plans develop and emerge for sites throughout the study area.
Kristy Marmorato
1:40:30
Okay.
1:40:30
For the record, Van Ness lost their library in 1998, and I think now would be a really good time to get that back.
1:40:36
Especially with the increase of people at Baker And Bronxdale Avenue.
1:40:42
The residents of Community Board 11 requested the removal of 2 sites located, 1 at the corner of Seminole and Mars Park Avenue, and they had concerns about removing the r 61 on Eastchester Road And Stilwell Avenue.
1:40:59
Would you consider removing these sites or at least adjusting their height requirements?
Paul Philps
1:41:06
So thank you for that question and comment.
1:41:08
I think you certainly we want to be responsive.
1:41:11
So we certainly, I think, would entertain and consider those changes.