DUMBO Rezoning, Proposed Zoning used with permission of the New York City Department of City Planning. All rights reserved.

Residential conversion of buildings east of Manhattan Bridge now as-of-right. On July 29, 2009, the City Council rezoned a 12-block area of former manufacturing loft buildings located east of the Manhattan Bridge along Brooklyn’s waterfront in DUMBO. This approval adds to several private- and City-initiated DUMBO rezoning plans, and extends the area allowing as-of-right residential conversions from the blocks between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges to the 12 blocks east of the Manhattan Bridge.

The rezoned area closely corresponds to the DUMBO Historic District and is generally bounded by the Manhattan Bridge to the west, Bridge Street to the east, John Street and the East River to the north, and Front Street to the south.

Planning proposed replacing the area’s M1-2 and M3-1 manufacturing districts with M1-4/R8A and M1-4/R7A contextual zoning districts to promote new mixed-use construction. The new zoning allows as-of-right residential and community facility uses while continuing to permit light manufacturing uses. The plan applies the M1-4/R8A district, allowing greater density and asof- right floor area, to the blocks closest to the Manhattan Bridge. It applies the lower-density M1-4/R7A district 150 feet east of Jay Street to the blocks closest to the low-density residential area of Vinegar Hill. (read more…)

Speaker Quinn announced support prior to Council vote. On June 10, 2009, the City Council approved Two Trees Management Company’s mixed-use development project adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The project will provide the neighborhood with a 45,000 sq.ft. middle school and approximately 300 new housing units, 20 percent of which will be permanently affordable.

Residents, neighborhood associations, and community groups opposed the project. In response, the City Planning Commission reduced the project’s height and increased its distance from the Brooklyn Bridge. 6 CityLand 69 (June 15, 2009). (read more…)

Opponents concerned that development would alter views of the bridge. On March 4, 2009, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on Two Trees Management Company’s plan to build a mixed-use development at 10 Dock Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Two Trees had previously submitted a proposal in 2004 to develop a portion of the site with a 16-story apartment building, but withdrew the plan prior to the final vote in the City Council. Many attributed the withdrawal to mounting opposition from the community and elected officials. Two Trees later purchased additional land and submitted the current proposal, known as Dock Street DUMBO, which shifts some of the original proposal’s height away from Water Street.

Bounded by Dock, Water, and Front Streets, the building would be located on a 45,000 sq.ft. site adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. The project would include approximately 323 residential units, a 300-seat public middle school, a 465-space parking garage, and a 12,733-sq.ft. retail space. The building’s tallest section would be approximately 183 ft. in height, and the section closest to the bridge would be nine stories. To facilitate the proposed development, Two Trees submitted applications for a map amendment that would create an MX-2 special mixed-use district and rezone about a half-block from M1-2 to M1-2/R8, and for special permits waiving height, setback, and rear yard requirements. (read more…)