Community Board 9 and Columbia University presented different rezoning plans for Manhattanville. At the Planning Commission’s review session on October 1 7, 2005, the Commission determined that Manhattan Community Board 9’s independent 1 97-a plan for the future rezoning and development of Manhattanville met threshold standards. The plan culminated over 12 years of work by the Board. Under the City Charter and Rules, before environmental review of the 1 97-a plan can commence, the Commission must determine that the plan conforms to threshold standards for form and content, and for sound planning policy.

At the same session, the Commission discussed concerns that Columbia University planned to file a conflicting rezoning proposal covering the same geographic area to facilitate Columbia’s expansion into Manhattanville. Columbia’s plan would seek to rezone low-density manufacturing lots to allow high-density educational uses. While Columbia owns a portion of the lots in the area, it would potentially obtain more by eminent domain. (read more…)