PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Lo van der Valk, Representative of Carnegie Hill Neighbors
2:33:18
·
138 sec
Lo van der Valk, representing Carnegie Hill Neighbors, expresses concerns about Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's proposed 594-foot hospital building. While respecting MSK's work, he advocates for a lower building height and presents alternative designs to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood.
- Suggests two alternatives that distribute the building mass over two blocks, including the Memorial Hospital to the north
- Proposes reducing the Pavilion height from 594 to 432 feet in one alternative
- Requests the City Council to discuss these alternatives with MSK to reach a better solution
Lo van der Valk
2:33:18
My name is Lou Vanderbalt, and I represent the views of Carnegie Hill Neighbors.
2:33:22
We have been invited by the neighbor's neighbor's group to weigh in on this project.
2:33:27
First, let me say, we greatly respect MSK's impressive and important work.
2:33:32
However, in considering a current prod project to build a new hospital to a height of 5 94 feet without the usual setbacks required by zoning because of this special project.
2:33:49
We hold out the hope that a solution for a lower building can still be found.
2:33:53
This height far exceeds the height of other hospitals in the upper side.
2:33:57
We note that this height maxes out all the available square footage so generously allowed by the large scale community facility development.
2:34:06
Leaving only 88 square feet unused.
2:34:09
This mass building adversely impacts the school and neighbors into low scale residential buildings of 66 Street Block.
2:34:19
We believe the height can be mitigated.
2:34:21
Yeah.
2:34:21
City planner George James working for the neighbors has presented 2 alternatives that would both distribute the massing of of the proposed civilian tower over two blocks.
2:34:34
That includes the Memorial Hospital to its north.
2:34:37
It is noted that the proposed MSK Pavilion plans will link the two buildings by including a patient bridge at 2 levels.
2:34:46
And the the first alternative would would would reduce the height of the pavilion from 600 about to 4 32 feet.
2:34:59
With the remaining feet enlarging the memorial hospital from 2 73 feet to 439 feet.
2:35:10
This will reduce the percentage of power space available.
2:35:16
And that could be ameliorated by increasing the height, by a second alternative.
2:35:22
That would increase
UNKNOWN
2:35:23
the respiratory
Lo van der Valk
2:35:24
hospital.
2:35:25
We hope that the that the that the city council can discuss this with MSK and and and and and reach a better solution.
2:35:34
Thank you so much.