Q&A
Council Member Kevin Riley questions land use counsel about 441/467 Prospect Avenue rezoning
2:43:07
ยท
157 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley engages in a Q&A session with Nora Martins, Land Use Counsel from Akerman LLP, regarding the 441/467 Prospect Avenue (Arrow Linen) rezoning project. The discussion covers community concerns, alternative designs, potential as-of-right development, relocation plans for Arrow Linens, and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) options.
- Riley inquires about alternative building designs to address community concerns about building height.
- Questions are raised about the relocation plans for Arrow Linens Laundry Business.
- The conversation touches on the reasoning behind mapping both MIH options 1 and 2 for the project.
Kevin Riley
2:43:07
Thank you so much.
2:43:08
I have a few questions.
2:43:09
I'm gonna pass it over to council member Hanif.
2:43:11
The community board voted against this project, and the opposition has centered on objections to the proposed height.
2:43:19
Have you explored alternative building designs or zoning scenarios that will reduce height by yield the same unit
Nora Martins
2:43:29
count?
2:43:29
Yes.
2:43:29
We have looked at some alternatives, at the beginning of this project and then also throughout this process.
2:43:35
One of those districts would be an r seven a contextual zoning district, which has the same floor area, would result in the same number of units, but does have a lower maximum building height.
2:43:46
The reason this was not selected from the beginning of the process was in consultation with city planning and with our input, we found that the articulation and the design of the buildings, particularly given this unusually shaped site, was much better, for lack of a better word, than under the r seven one.
2:44:06
Although the buildings would overall be lower, which we understand is something the community is looking for, there would be a higher building wall on the on the street wall and less articulation to the buildings.
Kevin Riley
2:44:20
What would be built on the site if this rezoner were not to be approved?
Nora Martins
2:44:27
It would likely I mean, as of right development here, there is no currently and I think it's an important point.
2:44:32
There's currently no mandatory inclusionary or even voluntary inclusionary housing mapped here.
2:44:37
There is no requirement to provide affordable housing.
2:44:40
It could be under the r five b, likely condo development residential condo development.
Kevin Riley
2:44:46
Have you begun your search for where to relocate Arrow Linens Laundry Business, and have you considered relocation to one of Brooklyn's industrial business zones?
Nora Martins
2:44:56
Yes.
2:44:57
Again, at the beginning of this process, because that is a critical element of the project, the applicant had spoken with the borough president's office, reached out to EDC, and also spoken with SBIDC about potential relocation sites.
2:45:10
However, until this rezoning process is complete, they cannot fully engage in that in that relocation plan, but that is absolutely the the, concept.
Kevin Riley
2:45:21
Since you have presented and committed to using MIH option 1, why does the application propose to map both MIH option 1 and 2 over the rezoning area?
Nora Martins
2:45:32
The reason for that was to preserve flexibility, but the applicant is committed to option 1.
Kevin Riley
2:45:37
Okay.
2:45:39
I'm gonna yield to council member Anif.
2:45:41
If I have any more questions, I'll come back and ask.
UNKNOWN
2:45:43
Thank you.
Kevin Riley
2:45:43
Council member Anif?