PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Emily Gilchrist, Resident of South Slope and Prospect Avenue
4:04:41
ยท
84 sec
Dr. Emily Gilchrist, a cultural analysis expert and long-time resident of the area, testifies against the rezoning proposal for 441/467 Prospect Avenue (Arrow Linen), arguing that it does not support affordable housing goals and will have severe environmental impacts.
- Criticizes the development of luxury housing as the root cause of the housing crisis
- Expresses disappointment in elected officials for not listening to residents' concerns
- Questions the definition of "affordable housing" in the context of the area's high median salary
- Raises concerns about the potential environmental impact of the project
Dr. Emily Gilchrist
4:04:41
Hello.
4:04:42
I'm doctor Emily Gilchrist.
4:04:43
I'm an expert in cultural analysis and a resident of South Slope for 15 years and Prospect Avenue for 7 years.
4:04:52
I'm completely against this rezoning.
4:04:56
First of all, it in no way supports the goals of affordable housing.
4:05:00
It seems many people here are under the impression that there's a housing crisis because there's a lack of housing.
4:05:06
There's a housing crisis because of the unregulated and out of control development of luxury housing.
4:05:13
And it's very disappointing to see an elected official not listening to the voices of those who elected her, and honoring what the residents actually want and the reality that the residents are actually living.
4:05:30
And for those who are also misled by the phrase affordable housing, this reflects the, I believe, median salary for the the district, which in this area is far higher than the average or the median for Brooklyn.
4:05:49
So those who think this is housing for the working class, it is not.
4:05:55
And that doesn't really even get into the environmental impact, which is quite severe, and I'd be very curious to see the environmental report once they release that.
4:06:04
Thank you.