REMARKS
Council Member Avilés expresses support for industrial zone development project
0:29:15
·
118 sec
Council Member Alexa Avilés delivers remarks on a long-discussed development project in an Industrial Business Zone (IBZ). She expresses initial concerns about preserving industrial areas but ultimately supports the project due to last-minute commitments from the applicant.
- The project will allocate approximately 25% of space to light industrial/manufacturing uses or reduce height to 6 stories.
- Commitments include allocating space for community use.
- Avilés emphasizes the importance of protecting and preserving industrial/manufacturing land in the city.
Alexa Avilés
0:29:15
Thank you so much, chair.
0:29:17
So this project has been long in the making with conversations predating my tenure at the New York City Council, and starting up once again as I took office.
0:29:26
I don't know why I'm getting this feedback.
0:29:28
Is that okay?
0:29:34
I don't wanna I don't wanna hurt anyone's eardrums.
0:29:37
Okay.
0:29:39
I noted at the time to the applicant that preserving our industrial business zones of critical importance to me.
0:29:45
And throughout this period, this council and the city has been working to strengthen the protections of these industrial business zones to ensure economic opportunities are preserved for working people throughout New York City.
0:29:58
Unfortunately, it took the applicant until 11th hour to get this point on and to understand our stated policy objectives were real.
0:30:06
Nevertheless, given these peculiarities of the property, the applicant with new commitment of allocating approximately 25 percent to light industrial manufacturing or reduced height to 6 stories and commitments to allocate space for community use.
0:30:22
I feel this project more closely reflects the development objectives we have set forth for our community.
0:30:30
I look forward to DCP solidifying zoning requirements that further protect and enhance our IBZs as promised through the city of yes negotiations.
0:30:39
So that council members will have more tools at their disposal in these types of negotiations.
0:30:44
And in the interim, expect similar developments to meet expectations set forth in our land use pro proposals and certainly by our city that industrial manufacturing land is important to protect and preserve.
0:30:59
With these expect with the expectation that the applicant will be a good and risk responsible and responsive neighbor during construction and meet its stated commitments.
0:31:10
I'm supportive of this project.
0:31:12
Thank you, chair.
