Q&A
Discussion on building height concerns and potential zoning adjustments
2:03:51
ยท
165 sec
Council Member Narcisse addresses Community Board 15's concerns about building height and discusses the possibility of changing the R7A district to an R6A district to limit height. Richard Bass responds to these concerns and explains the implications of such a change.
- Narcisse mentions Community Board 15's support for development but their desire to limit height to 9 stories as originally proposed.
- Bass argues against reducing the zoning, explaining it would result in a loss of over 50,000 square feet of development rights, equivalent to over 50 units, including 12 affordable units.
- He emphasizes that their current design is based on economic factors and that they don't intend to build taller despite the zoning allowances.
- Bass stresses the importance of maintaining credibility for future projects in the district.
- The council member acknowledges the need for housing in the current crisis and indicates further discussions will take place.
Mercedes Narcisse
2:03:51
So that's the reason we're focusing on a square footage.
2:03:55
Community may I ask you, community board 15 supports development here but feels strongly that the height should be no more than the 9 stories proposed in your presentation.
2:04:08
When this project begins, the proposed R7A district limited development to 9 stories but now after City of YES, it allows up to 11 stories.
2:04:19
You already straight that out.
2:04:20
You're not going to go high.
2:04:21
We we could change the R7A district to an R6A district to limit the height on the Qualls Street to 9 stories as originally proposed.
2:04:36
Have you looked at this option?
2:04:38
We want to make sure the building design you are presented here is what we see actually built.
2:04:48
And you heard me before.
2:04:50
I trust you.
2:04:51
But if you if your clients sell, we will have to deal with that.
2:04:54
That's the only reason I'm asking.
Richard Bass
2:04:55
I would never say trust me on the record.
2:04:59
The the the difference between what we're suggesting and what you just said in terms of changing the zoning
UNKNOWN
2:05:05
Mhmm.
Richard Bass
2:05:05
Would result in a reduction of over 50,000 square feet of development rights.
2:05:11
That's 5th over 50 units, 12 of which would be affordable.
2:05:15
I would argue against that reduction
UNKNOWN
2:05:18
Mhmm.
Richard Bass
2:05:18
Because it really gains nothing.
2:05:20
It it protects this this mythology that one one could build taller when we're really not going to build taller.
2:05:29
The economics doesn't permit us to build taller.
2:05:32
The other thing is and besides setting trust me, we're gonna be doing multiple developments in your district with your community board.
2:05:39
We're gonna be back here before this committee multiple times.
2:05:43
If I mislead you today, you're not gonna, you know, believe me tomorrow.
2:05:48
Our design is what it is based on the economics of it.
2:05:52
So just because the zoning allows for a greater height, I'm arguing don't lose 50 units of housing for no reason.
2:06:01
Mhmm.
Mercedes Narcisse
2:06:03
So thank you, chair.
2:06:04
We're gonna further have a conversation because, we we we in a housing crisis, so we need houses.
2:06:11
But thank you, Richard.
Richard Bass
2:06:12
And just one further correction.
2:06:13
You, stated that I was an attorney.
2:06:16
I'm not an attorney.
Mercedes Narcisse
2:06:17
Oh, you're not.
Richard Bass
2:06:18
I work for a law firm.
2:06:19
I've been working for
UNKNOWN
2:06:20
law firms
Richard Bass
2:06:21
You work for the law firm.
2:06:22
For years.
Mercedes Narcisse
2:06:22
The correction.
2:06:23
I I have a
Richard Bass
2:06:24
master's in urban planning.
2:06:25
My mother told me I should've gone to law school.
2:06:28
But I just wanna make the record clear.
UNKNOWN
2:06:30
You did it so well, I
Mercedes Narcisse
2:06:31
thought you were a lawyer.
2:06:32
Once upon a time, they taught I was a lawyer too.
Richard Bass
2:06:34
So I've been doing it a long time.
Shahana K. Hanif
2:06:35
Thank you.
Richard Bass
2:06:35
But thank you.
2:06:36
Mhmm.
Kevin Riley
2:06:36
It's alright, Richard.