New York City Council
Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises
Oct 08, 2024
·
12:00 PM
51 min
Summary
A hearing on the Brooklyn Yards proposal in Borough Park, Brooklyn, to build approximately 270 residential units and commercial space over a railroad cut.
Discussions focused on:
- The project's unique challenges of building over active rail lines
- Increased parking spaces
- Provision of community facility space
- Marketing affordable units to diverse local communities
The proposal includes 14 buildings, mostly 4-6 stories tall, with one 10-story commercial building.
Features testimony from the applicants and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Kevin Riley opens the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises meeting
Council Member Kevin Riley, chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, opens the meeting and outlines the agenda for the day. He introduces the committee members present and explains …
0:00:28
·
43 sec
Council Member Riley introduces vote on 135th Street Rezoning Proposal
Council Member Kevin C. Riley introduces a vote on the 135th Street Rezoning Proposal in Council Member Abreu's district. The proposal aims to develop a mixed-use residential building near Riverbank …
0:03:30
·
82 sec
Council Member Shaun Abreu expresses support for 135th Street Rezoning proposal
Council Member Shaun Abreu delivers a speech in support of the 135th Street Rezoning proposal, highlighting its potential to address housing challenges in his district. He emphasizes the project's benefits, …
0:04:56
·
3 min
Council Member Riley opens public hearing on Brooklyn Yards proposal
Council Member Kevin C. Riley postpones votes on previous items and opens a public hearing on the Brooklyn Yards proposal. He provides a brief overview of the project, which includes …
0:08:14
·
3 min
Introduction to the Brooklyn Yards project
Ken Fisher introduces the Brooklyn Yards project, a proposed development of approximately 270 housing units in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. The presentation begins with an overview of the …
0:12:45
·
43 sec
Unique challenge: Building over a rail cut
The Brooklyn Yards project involves building over an active rail cut owned by the Long Island Railroad, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. This feature necessitates multiple zoning applications and special …
0:13:29
·
79 sec
Historical context and community needs in Borough Park
The presentation highlights the significant population growth in Borough Park over the past 40 years and the corresponding lack of housing development to meet demand. The project aims to address …
0:14:51
·
69 sec
Project team and expertise
The presentation introduces the team of professionals assembled for the Brooklyn Yards project, highlighting their expertise in various aspects of large-scale urban development. The team includes architects, engineers, and consultants …
0:16:00
·
76 sec
Zoning changes and actions required for the project
Rachel Scall outlines the numerous zoning changes and actions required for the Brooklyn Yards project, including rezoning, special permits, and text amendments. These changes are necessary to accommodate the unique …
0:17:16
·
133 sec
Architectural design and integration with the community
Jay Valgora, the project architect, explains how the Brooklyn Yards development is designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing community. The design focuses on creating a transit-oriented development that respects …
0:19:31
·
108 sec
Building scale, layout, and neighborhood fit
Jay Valgora provides a detailed overview of the Brooklyn Yards development's scale and layout, emphasizing how the project is designed to fit into the existing neighborhood context. The development consists …
0:21:19
·
80 sec
Public spaces and green areas within the development
Jay Valgora describes the various public spaces and green areas incorporated into the Brooklyn Yards development. These elements are designed to provide amenities for residents and the broader community while …
0:22:39
·
130 sec
Summary of proposed actions and bulk waivers
Rachel Scall provides a comprehensive summary of the 14 proposed actions and bulk waivers required for the Brooklyn Yards project. These actions are necessary due to the unique nature of …
0:24:49
·
47 sec
Financial feasibility of building the Brooklyn Yards project over a railroad cut
Council Member Kevin C. Riley inquires about the financial feasibility of building the Brooklyn Yards project over a railroad cut, given the unusual location and potential high costs. Ken Fisher …
0:27:11
·
178 sec
Unit sizes and mix in the Brooklyn Yards development project
Council Member Kevin C. Riley asks about the breakdown of unit sizes and average square footage for each unit type in the Brooklyn Yards project. Rachel Scall from Cozen O'Connor …
0:30:33
·
60 sec
Commercial space demand for the Brooklyn Yards project
Council Member Kevin C. Riley inquires about market research conducted to determine local demand for commercial space in the Brooklyn Yards project. Ken Fisher from Cozen O'Connor explains the developers' …
0:31:34
·
105 sec
Discussion on commercial building occupancy and market viability
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the viability of the proposed 10-story commercial building, given that nearby commercial buildings have been empty for at least two years. Ken Fisher responds …
0:33:27
·
120 sec
Exploration of senior housing options for the development
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the possibility of including senior housing in the development. Ken Fisher explains why senior housing is not viable for this particular project but expresses …
0:35:29
·
131 sec
ADA accessibility measures in the proposed development
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the ADA accessibility measures incorporated into the proposal, particularly for the walk-up buildings. Jay Valgora and Ken Fisher provide details on how accessibility is …
0:37:40
·
99 sec
Parking provisions for commercial and residential use
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the parking provisions for both commercial and residential use in the development. Rachel Scall and Ken Fisher explain the current parking plan and rationale. …
0:39:22
·
66 sec
Traffic management and transit-oriented development strategies
Council Member Susan Zhuang raises concerns about the high traffic in the area and asks about specific plans to address this issue. Ken Fisher and Jay Valgora explain their approach …
0:40:30
·
95 sec
Sanitation and trash management plans for the development
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the sanitation plan for the site, particularly regarding trash storage. Jay Valgora explains the approach to waste management for the development. - The development …
0:42:06
·
56 sec
Marketing strategy for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) units
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the strategy for marketing the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) units to the diverse community in District 43. Ken Fisher outlines the planned approach for …
0:43:03
·
126 sec
Provision of community facility space in the development
Council Member Susan Zhuang inquires about the possibility of providing community facility space in the development. Ken Fisher outlines two potential options to meet the community's needs for accessible event …
0:45:09
·
3 min
Testimony by Solomon Lebovits, Real Estate Broker, on Brooklyn Yards Development
Solomon Lebovits, a local real estate broker in the Borough Park neighborhood, testified in support of the Brooklyn Yards development project. He emphasized the housing crisis in the area and …
0:49:48
·
52 sec
