PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Timothy Gilles, Member of the Executive Committee and Immediate Past President of Park Slope Civic Council on Arrow Linen Rezoning
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Timothy Gilles, representing the Park Slope Civic Council, testifies against the Arrow Linen upzoning proposal. He argues that the proposed development is out of scale with the surrounding area and expresses concerns about potential future changes to the project if the upzoning is approved.
- The Park Slope Civic Council has a history of supporting balanced development, including previous upzoning projects and affordable housing initiatives.
- Gilles points out that Prospect Avenue, where the development is proposed, is much narrower than 4th Avenue, making 13-story buildings out of scale for the area.
- He expresses concern that approving the upzoning could lead to even taller buildings or different development plans in the future, potentially altering the character of the neighborhood.
Timothy Gilles
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Gilles.
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Gilles.
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Honorable chair Riley, honorable member Hanif.
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My name is Timothy Gilles, testifying on behalf of the Park Slope Civic Council, the oldest civic association in Brooklyn, where I am a member of the executive committee and the immediate past president.
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The civic council takes a balanced view and a balanced approach to land use and development issues.
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We supported the upzoning of 4th Avenue in 2003 and the Gowanus rezoning in 2021.
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We are active in Brooklyn Speaks, protesting the multiple delays in building affordable housing at Atlantic Yards.
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We supported the development of the Fifth Avenue Key Food Site because the developers accepted our demand for more affordable housing and a lower threshold of affordability.
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We have not objected to any of the 13 or larger story buildings on Fourth Avenue.
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We did not oppose City of YES.
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We do, however, object to the Arrowlinen up zoning.
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Our board of trustees adopted a resolution in September that I am submitting for the record.
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Today, I will highlight just two points.
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First, the only blocks within a half mile of Arrowlinen that allow 13 story buildings are on Fourth Avenue.
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From curb to curb, 4th Avenue is 88 feet wide, whereas Prospect Avenue is just 42.
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From facade to facade, 4th Avenue is 120 to 130 feet wide or wider, while Prospect Avenue is just 80.
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Prospect Avenue is a much narrower street and it is not a commercial street, yet this upzoning would allow equally tall and out of scale buildings.
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2nd, this upzoning request is not a binding development plan.
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If it is approved, Arrowlinen could withdraw this plan and build something else with even taller buildings allowed by City of Yes.
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There might be new developers with new plans.
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1 or more of the 11 non Arrowlinen buildings might be purchased and demolished to permit an even bigger project.
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The city council should reject this upzoning and insist that the owners negotiate with the community to take advantage of an excellent opportunity to build affordable housing without creating an island of high rise development on a relatively narrow residential street in a low rise historic neighborhood.
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Thank you very much.
Kevin Riley
3:11:28
Thank you so much.