PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rachel Fee on 441/467 Prospect Avenue Rezoning
3:52:01
ยท
122 sec
Rachel Fee testifies in favor of the 441/467 Prospect Avenue rezoning project in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. She emphasizes the need for more housing, particularly affordable housing, in the area.
- Council District 39 ranks low in affordable housing production
- The site can accommodate a taller building without causing significant issues
- Personal examples of friends struggling to find housing in the neighborhood
Rachel Fee
3:52:01
My My name is Rachel Phee.
3:52:02
I'm executive director of the New York Housing Conference.
3:52:05
My organization does not take positions on projects, so I'm testifying in my personal capacity as a resident of Windsor Terrace.
3:52:12
Greetings to my neighbors here.
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Everyone that's here today cares deeply about the neighborhood just as I do.
3:52:18
I'm in favor of more housing and in maximizing affordable housing.
3:52:23
Council district 39 is ranked 25 out of 31 in affordable housing production, producing less than half the citywide district average.
3:52:33
The main opposition seems to be directed at height, but height is what will give us more affordable housing through MIH.
3:52:41
This is not like the building proposed to cast shadows over the treasured Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, which I oppose.
3:52:48
This is an unattractive commercial building with an enormous parking lot on a wide street and a large site.
3:52:55
No one will be displaced, and this site can handle a taller building than its surroundings.
3:53:01
When I look at other residential corners surrounding Prospect Park, I see tall buildings adjacent to store to 4 stories, and they are part of the landscape for decades and not eyesores.
3:53:12
Prospect Park West at Garfield Place and also at Montgomery are examples of 15 stories adjacent to 4.
3:53:20
No one notices.
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I understand the desire to keep the neighborhood as it is because it's charming, but this is a chance to add significant housing that is desperately needed by our neighbors and our city.
3:53:34
Just in my block on 16th Street, 2 families I'm friends with are actively looking and can't find anything in the neighborhood.
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One of them is expecting a third child and has been looking for more than 5 months to move.
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The other, their landlord told them it was time to go because their son needed the apartment.
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They can't find anything in the neighborhood.
3:53:55
I encourage the council to vote yes for more housing and for Windsor Terrace to do its part in adding needed housing supply.
3:54:02
Thank you.