Development plan said to spur future development in community. On July 23, 2008, the City Council voted to approve the zoning map amendment proposed by developer Ebling Partners LLC for a full block in Mott Haven bounded by East 159th Street, Eagle Avenue, East 156th Street, and St. Ann’s Avenue. The proposal called for the area to be rezoned from M1-1 to R7X with a commercial overlay of C2-3. The rezoning will facilitate the developer’s plan to develop the block, which, in part, formerly housed the Ebling Brewery until its demolition in 1995. The proposed project includes development of 600 dwelling units totaling 638,931 sq.ft., 50,000 sq.ft. of commercial space, and a 450-space underground parking garage.

At the July 21, 2008 hearing before the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises, Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo offered her support for the project, which would take place in her district. She stated that both she and the community were “very excited” about the project and praised the developers for paying close attention to the immediate needs of the community. She noted that the block is currently a “horrible site, full of tractor- trailers,” and that its conversion to affordable, quality housing will encourage development in the surrounding area. There were no speakers in opposition.

Arroyo asked her fellow Council Members to approve the project as is, which they did, sending it to the Land Use Committee, which also followed suit. The full Council approved without modification the following day.

ULURP Process
Lead Agency: CPC,Cond.Neg.Dec.
Comm.Bd.: BX 1,App’d 27-0-0
Boro.Pres.: App’d
CPC: 11-0-0
Council: 45-0-1

Council: St. Ann’s Avenue Development (July 23, 2008).