Hearings highlight Council’s proposals for construction moratorium and landowner notification. The City Council approved the rezoning of eight blocks in Sheepshead Bay and 70 blocks in Homecrest, Brooklyn in an effort to preserve the existing character of both neighborhoods and curb out-of- character development.

At the February 6, 2006 Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee hearing, Council Member Lewis A. Fidler criticized the amount of time it took to complete the Sheepshead Bay rezoning, calling it “too little, too late” because, in his opinion, the area had already been “raped and pillaged by developers,” which left only eight blocks of the original neighborhood’s character worth preserving. Subcommittee Chair Tony Avella commented that he would like to expedite his bill to place a moratorium on development in areas that are being evaluated for rezoning. Avella said that the bill was generally supported by both the Council and the Mayor, but progress was slowed as both sides considered whether the bill was subject to ULURP.

A group of residents opposed the rezoning in Homecrest, complaining that the City failed to notify them of the proposed changes and arguing for a plan that would curb large-scale development, but still permit owners of one- and two-family homes to add rooms for growing families. Council Member Simcha Felder in response suggested that the Council take action to require notice via certified mail for property owners within proposed rezoning areas based on block and lot numbers, the same method that is used for taxing. Chair Avella commented that such a bill was in the hopper.

The Land Use Committee unanimously approved both rezonings on February 8, 2006 and the full Council approved on February 15, 2006.

For a full summary of the rezoning and ULURP process, see 3 CityLand 7 (Feb. 15, 2005).

Council: Sheepshead Bay Rezoning (February 15, 2006); Homecrest Rezoning (February 15, 2006); CPC: Sheepshead Bay Rezoning (C 060132 ZMK – map amendment) (January 11, 2006); CPC: Homecrest Rezoning (C 060129 ZMK – map amendment)(January 11, 2006). CITYADMIN