PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joshua Waterman on 441/467 Prospect Avenue Rezoning
4:45:35
ยท
119 sec
Joshua Waterman, a resident of Park Slope, testifies in support of the proposed development at 441 and 467 Prospect Avenue. He argues that the site is well-equipped to handle 244 new homes, citing available transit and school capacity, and addressing concerns about flooding.
- Emphasizes the need for more housing in New York City, referencing the current housing crisis and low vacancy rates
- Highlights the project will create over 60 permanently affordable units
- Addresses potential concerns about infrastructure, including transit, schools, and stormwater management
- Concludes by quoting Jimmy Carter on the importance of housing as a basic human right
Joshua Waterman
4:45:35
Thank you, chair Riley, council member Hanif.
4:45:38
My name is Joshua Waterman.
4:45:39
I live in, Park Slope, about a 6 minute bike ride from the future site of the 244 homes that will be built at 441 and 467 Prospect Avenue.
4:45:48
I'm not here to convince anyone on on ideological grounds that New York needs to build more housing.
4:45:53
Of course, we need to build more housing.
4:45:55
Majority of members on this subcommittee voted in favor of city of yes for housing opportunity.
4:46:00
Council member Hanif voted for it.
4:46:02
Speaker Adams has said it plainly.
4:46:04
We are in a housing crisis.
4:46:05
1.4% vacancy.
4:46:07
We we know all that.
4:46:08
That's not really up for debate.
4:46:09
That is a fact.
4:46:10
I'm here to tell you about this site, which is currently a large parking lot and an industrial laundry facility.
4:46:16
I'm here to tell you why that should become apartments.
4:46:18
This is a very real proposal that will generate over 60 permanently affordable units.
4:46:24
Here are a few reasons why the site is well equipped to handle these 244 new homes.
4:46:29
Subway ridership at the nearest subway station, the 15th Street, Prospect Park f g, is down 36% over the last 5 years with, continued low ridership and forthcoming signal improvements to the g train.
4:46:42
Transit infrastructure could seamlessly absorb the additional rides that would come with the new homes.
4:46:46
Similarly, schools in District 15 continue to be underenrolled, down 25% from 5 years ago.
4:46:52
The families that move into these buildings would be able to send their children to nearby high performing neighborhood schools.
4:46:58
And then opponents of this development, like we've heard today, have cited recent neighborhood flooding as a reason why the neighborhood can't support more housing.
4:47:05
But as miss Martins mentioned in her presentation, the developer was required to develop a stormwater mitigation plan that will involve green infrastructure.
4:47:12
It'll be better than it is now.
4:47:14
In closing, I wanna quote a man that we are honoring today, one of the all time great American home builders, Jimmy Carter.
4:47:21
He said one of the basic human rights is housing, the right not only to have a place to live, but to have it be your own.
4:47:26
This plan before you will create homes, including permanently affordable homes for 100 of families.
4:47:32
I look forward to this committee's yes vote.
4:47:33
Thank you for your time.