CB 10’s City of Yes Meeting – Rezoning Bay Ridge
You can watch the meeting live and then send in your comments.
Photo by Vladimir C.
Fort Hamilton High School’s auditorium was packed with Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights residents.
Photo by Vladimir C.
Bay Ridge has not added a lot of housing over the years.
Stephanie from Community Board 10 has led this project. She and the committee have spent a lot of time analyzing the City of Yes and preparing the information for us. Stephanie should run for NYC Council as she is very informative and a real fighter for Bay Ridge.
The crowd erupted when Stephanie said these streets: Colonial Road, Marine Avenue, 86th Street, Bay Ridge Parkway and Ridge Blvd would be eligible for three to five-story apartment buildings.
Parking spots at Shore Hill and Bay Ridge Towers can be removed to put housing without community review under the City of Yes.
Under the City of Yes, developers no longer have to consider parking for new buildings.
There are 70 faith-based organizations in Bay Ridge that would be able to convert old convents and school buildings into residential buildings. Three to five-story buildings would be allowed on these properties. Senator Andrew Gounardes not only supports this, Gounardes is pushing the bill for it! (Info here, see Andrew Gounardes bill here)
NYC’s Environmental Impact did not include:
*At the end of the meeting, two NYC representatives said the environmental survey was more comprehensive than other surveys before. They both defended the survey.
The most development may come to these areas:
Visitation School was mentioned by a Bay Ridge resident, whose children attended the school asked about. Later in the public session, a resident pointed out that Visitation School was in the presentation. (CB 10 said they put in the paperwork for landmarking and CB 10 will talk about it soon.) *Currently Visitation School may only have one or two-family homes. Under the City of Yes, it can have 3 floor apartment buildings.
A parent said that 40 schools in District 20 are Title 1 schools and that there were many homeless families with children in our schools. They need housing.
A Bay Ridge homeowner said he was for the City of Yes, so that there was affordable homes for people.
Bay Ridge residents spoke about real concerns. They talked about the congestion in the area and how packed the streets are at rush hour in Bay Ridge. Residents spoke about our sewer system being overwhelmed. They spoke about schools and public transportation as well.
Some residents even spoke about how the City of Yes development will drive up property prices.
Thank you to the resident who called on Justin Brannan to tell our community his vote on this proposal if a vote was taken today. Brannan said he would vote no (but he said there is no vote – see video). *At the end of the meeting, NYC’s representatives said Justin Brannan will be voting.
Fran Vella-Marone said, “The City of Yes proposal is a dream for developers and a nightmare for us.”
Assemblyman Brook-Krasny and Senator Gounardes are in Albany so they sent representatives. Brook-Krasny’s representative came well-prepared and spoke against the City of Yes. Gounardes’ representative did not speak (at the last Community Board 10 meeting held at St. Anselm, Gounardes was present and did not speak).
Stephanie from Community Board 10 asked residents to contact your Borough President and Councilmembers.
Finally, Stephanie ended the meeting by saying that at Community Board 10’s meeting on June 20th, CB 10 will present their recommendation for The City of Yes proposal.
Thank you to all of the passionate Bay Ridge residents who spoke out tonight for the community.
Hugs,
marlene
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