REMARKS
Council Member Salamanca introduces Land Use Committee meeting and outlines agenda
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3 min
Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., chair of the Committee on Land Use, opens the meeting and outlines the agenda for voting on several land use proposals. He introduces modifications to the Brooklyn Yards development and Franklin Avenue rezoning projects, emphasizing the balance between affordable housing and environmental concerns.
- The committee will vote on modifications to the Brooklyn Yards proposal, including reducing a commercial building's height from 10 to 9 stories.
- For the Franklin Avenue rezoning, modifications include adjusting the limiting plane and including a workforce option for affordable housing.
- A vote on the La Catrina sidewalk cafe application is also on the agenda.
Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
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Alright.
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Good morning, and welcome to the Committee on Land Use.
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I am council member Rafael Salamanca, chair of this committee.
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I would like to welcome my esteemed colleagues who have joined us today.
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We've been joined by, council member Moya Rivera, chair Riley, Brock Powers, Abreo, deputy Lida Farias, Hanks' husband, Sanchez, and Barelli.
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As always, I wanna thank chair Riley and and chair Hanks for their work in meeting our 2 subcommittees.
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Today, we will vote to approve some modifications that will use 164 through 172 for the Brooklyn Yards proposal related to property located in Brooklyn districts of council member Zhuang and council member Yeager.
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The proposal includes a zoning map amendment, a zoning text amendment, and 7 special permits to facilitate the develop the development of 14 buildings within an existing railroad right of way, and including approximately 270 dwelling units, up to 81 of which would permit are permanently affordable.
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A modification will be to reduce the proposed heights of the proposed commercial building along the new, stretched avenue from 10 stories to 9 stories to be more in keeping with the build character of the surrounding area.
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We will also vote to approve the modifications of OUs 161, 162, 163, related to Franklin Avenue proposal, also in Brooklyn, and related to property in council member Hudson's district.
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The proposal includes a zoning map amendment, zoning text amendment, and a zoning special permit to facilitate the development of 355 dwelling units, of which approximately a 105 apartments are anticipated to be permanently affordable.
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I want to echo chair Riley's remarks and note that with without modifications, the rezoning we are approving today achieves 2 key objectives for the community, including the creation of affordable housing while minimizing the shadows on the nearby Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
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In balancing these priorities, we are modifying the proposal in 2 ways.
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First, we are decreasing the slope of the of the limiting plane from 15 to 10 degrees, while adjusting the starting height of the plane from 85 to 90 feet.
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Decreasing the slope was an important aim for the botanical garden, and we have found a way to achieve it.
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2nd, we are including the workforce option as part of the required affordable housing for this project.
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Doing so will make the project financially be financially feasible, given how much the project size was reduced from the applicant's original proposal to address the community and garden concerns.
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It will also provide a broader mix of affordable units accessible to teachers, nurses, and firemen, the people and families who keep this city going.
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And we will also vote to approve OUs 188 related to the sidewalk cafe application, La Catrina, and council member Holden's district.
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Now I would like to recognize any members or colleagues who have any questions or remarks.
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Nope.
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Seeing none.
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Right.
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I will now call for a vote with the support of the local members to approve OU's 188 for La Catrina sidewalk cafe.
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And to approve and modifications, I will use 161, 162, 163 for Franklin Avenue rezoning, and 164 through 172 for the Brooklyn Yards development proposal.
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Will the clerk please call the roll?
