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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Gabrielle Ortiz, Community Member on 135th Street Rezoning Proposal
0:14:48
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Gabrielle Ortiz, a long-time community member, testifies against the rezoning proposal for the 135th Street site. She argues that the location is unsuitable for residential development due to environmental concerns and potential negative impacts on the neighborhood.
- The site's proximity to Amtrak tracks and the West Side Highway raises concerns about noise, vibration, and pollution.
- The proposed building would obstruct views of the Hudson River from Riverside Drive, impacting residents' enjoyment of green space.
- Ortiz suggests the site would be more suitable for commercial use, such as a food hall, local business incubator, or community space.
Gabrielle Ortiz
0:14:48
I am just testifying as a long time community member of this area.
0:14:53
I've lived here for 20 years.
0:14:56
This very narrow site next to the Amtrak tracks is not suitable for housing.
0:15:00
The noise, vibration, and pollution from the west side highway, and Amtrak trains are unsafe and undesirable for residential limit.
0:15:07
The cantilever design demonstrates how small this site is, squeezing a building into the small space feels forced, and is ignorant of the needs, the residents of the neighborhood, the residents of this neighborhood.
0:15:20
The plans for this site are misleading.
0:15:22
Drawings show the height of the proposed building level with the wall at Riverside Drive and 1 Thirty Fifth Street, where residents joy and joy and unobstructed view of the Hudson River.
0:15:32
But Riverside Drive slopes downhill going uptown toward 137th Street where the width of this building extends.
0:15:40
Therefore, the height of the building would extend above the height of the park and would obstruct the view from Riverside Drive from 135th Street to 138th Street.
0:15:49
Rather than enjoying a view of the trees to the river, this building would block the view impacting residents' enjoyment of the green space that makes Riverside Drive desirable and beautiful.
0:15:58
This building would negatively impact the small amount of Riverside Park we actually enjoy in this neighborhood.
0:16:04
With its proximity to the new Columbia campus, this site is more suitable for commercial use as it is zoned, a food hall and market local business incubator, coworking space, community space, or performance space could easily be developed in this building where the existing infrastructure from the previous restaurants is already there.
0:16:23
I am not against housing.
0:16:24
We need more housing, and there are plenty of more appropriate sites in our neighborhood.
0:16:28
Where housing with more suitable and healthy units could be built.
0:16:32
I urge you to please say no to the rezoning of this project.
0:16:35
Thank you for considering.