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. (read more…)

Amendment designed to protect existing character while allowing for appropriate development. The Planning Commission approved the rezoning of Sheepshead Bay and Homecrest, Brooklyn in an effort to preserve the existing character of both neighborhoods and curb out-of- character development.

affected included portions of eight blocks bounded by East 27th Street, Emmons Avenue, Shore Parkway, and Ford Street. Currently, the area consists of mostly one-and twofamily detached and semi-detached homes as well as a few rowhouses. The approved down-zoning would eliminate a C2-2 district from within an existing R5 district, change an R5 district to an R4B, and halt as-of-right development of three-and four-story apartment buildings in the area. The proposal also modifies the boundaries of the 20-block Special Sheepshead Bay District in order to prevent conflicts between the rezoning and regulations within the special district. (read more…)