PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Susan Breindel, SoHo/NoHo Resident
3:58:07
·
128 sec
Susan Breindel, a SoHo/NoHo resident, testifies against the discriminatory conversion fees imposed on SoHo/NoHo residents following the 2020 rezoning. She requests changes to the zoning code to remove these fees and allow for equal residential conversion rights.
- Explains that 1,636 units were initially affected by costly penalties, later reduced to 1,000 units
- Highlights the financial burden of the arts fund fee and conversion costs, especially for retirement-age residents
- Requests removal of the M1-5b exception from section 15-1 of the zoning code
- Asks for the removal of five sentences in Section 143-13 that require the $100 per square foot fee
Susan Breindel
3:58:07
Thank you for such a smooth hearing, a respectful hearing.
3:58:10
And thank you, Christopher Marte, for really, you know, staying the course with us in in the and supporting the coalition for fairness in SoHo and NoHo.
3:58:21
After the rezoning of SoHo, NoHo was passed in 2020, the total units affected with impossibly costly penalties was 1636.
3:58:31
We would need to pay this enormous sum to an arts fund as well as to come up with maybe a half 1000000 or 100 of 1000 of dollars to convert our JLWQ Homes to residential usage.
3:58:43
This was then renegotiated for giving 40% of those units protected under the law, leaving only a 1000 units to pay this huge arts fund fee.
3:58:53
Most of us are retirement age and pioneer this unique neighborhood.
3:58:57
Succession rights are not enough.
3:58:59
What if you have more than one child or or your children don't want to live in their parents' apartment or they moved somewhere else?
3:59:06
Shouldn't you be able to sell the gen to the general public like everyone else?
3:59:10
We ask that you change the text, remove the discriminatory exception for M1 dash 5b from section 15 dash 1 of the zoning code and make residential conversion equal everywhere.
3:59:23
I would like to clarify by one point made by my fellow Soho Noho Residence.
3:59:27
If we want to sell our apartments or even give them to our children, each owner would need to come up with those few $100,000 out of pocket before any sale or transfer takes place.
3:59:38
It also would not be refundable should we not be able to convert to residential if once we've paid it.
3:59:47
To clarify, to get rid of this R's fund conversion fee, we ask that the Council removed just five sentences in Section 143-13, which require the $100 per square foot free to fully legalize our apartments.
4:00:01
We just want to follow the same conversion requirements as everyone else which city of yes makes easier for the rest of the city and are laid out in section 15 dash 01.
4:00:13
This is discriminatory.
4:00:14
Thank you.
4:00:15
Thank
