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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Irsa Weatherspoon, Chairperson of Brooklyn Community Board 8, on the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan
1:54:45
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139 sec
Irsa Weatherspoon, Chairperson of Brooklyn Community Board 8, expressed support for the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP) with conditions but voiced strong disappointment over the omission of a critical mixed-use zoning tool. She urged the City Council not to adopt the plan without this tool, which she believes is necessary for creating affordable housing and job opportunities while mitigating gentrification.
- The plan includes rezoning for affordable housing, development of city-owned sites, street safety improvements, and workforce development programs.
- Weatherspoon emphasized that the omitted zoning tool, similar to one used in the Gowanus rezoning, is crucial for addressing core community needs.
- She argued that without this tool, the rezoning process cannot be considered truly community-led.
Irsa Weatherspoon
1:54:45
Yes.
1:54:45
Good afternoon, everybody.
1:54:48
Actually, correct pronunciation is Irsa Weatherspoon, and I am the chairperson of Community Board eight, where portions of our district are in the footprint of AMOP.
1:54:59
We at Community Board eight supported the AIM OP with express conditions.
1:55:03
This is a plan that started over ten years ago with our M1 crown initiative.
1:55:08
We were pleased that we were able to agree on a holistic plan that we believe supports some of the needs of our district.
1:55:15
For example, rezoning to accommodate more affordable housing, HPD's commitment to develop at least five identified city owned sites for 100% affordable housing, a street state plan to increase safety for all users, tenant and landlord protections, a dedicated workforce development program, a green technology incubator and measures to increase job employment with emphasis to MWBE business opportunities.
1:55:43
But at this late date, we have learned that an important mixed use zoning tool that provides density insensitive to developers has been omitted.
1:55:51
We are profoundly and repeatedly expressed its necessity and fully expected it to be included in this EULIP process.
1:55:59
This tool would help create assess, accessibility to jobs and affordable housing by adding residential density to an underutilized area of the district and also help to stem the impact of rapid gentrification in the displacement of our low income residents and those without a college degree.
1:56:17
The absence of this zoning tool threatens the path to solutions in addressing these core needs in our district.
1:56:23
A similar tool was implemented in the Gowanus twenty twenty one rezoning, and I'd like to know why our community is not being afforded the same opportunity and benefit and where is the concern.
1:56:33
The admission of this critical zoning tool is unacceptable, and without it, this rezoning process cannot be fully regarded as community led.
1:56:41
As the chair of community board aide, I'm extremely disappointed of this development and the detrimental impact this would undoubtedly have in our district.
UNKNOWN
1:56:49
Thank you.
1:56:49
Your time expired.
Irsa Weatherspoon
1:56:50
As is evident.
1:56:52
The city council should not adopt this plan with the omission of this very necessary mixed use zoning tool.
1:56:58
Thank you to our council members Hudson and Osei, and thank you all for your time.
1:57:03
Thank you.