New plan for Pelham Gardens, Laconia and Baychester. The City Council approved the proposed rezoning of 163 blocks in the Bronx, covering portions of Pelham Gardens, Laconia and Baychester located north of Pelham Parkway and east of Williamsbridge and Boston Roads. The new zoning is designed to preserve the existing neighborhoods’ character with lower density and contextual zoning districts and to prevent out-of-character development.

The neighborhoods’ zoning (R3-2, R4 and R5) has allowed for rowhouse development and multifamily apartments which the Planning Department found incompatible with the scale of existing homes in the neighborhoods. The Planning Department proposed down-zoning some areas and slightly increasing the permitted size of development in other areas primarily along Gun Hill Road and in proximity to the No. 5 Subway Line station, which could support increased density. The commercial zoning along Gun Hill Road was also modified to increase the type of retail uses permitted as of right and encourage new mixed-use development.

The full Council approved on July 27, 2005 by a vote of 44 in the affirmative with seven Council members excused.

ULURP Process: The Planning Commission, as lead agency, issued a negative declaration on February 14, 2005. Bronx Community Boards 11 and 12, the Borough Board and Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. approved. No one opposed the rezoning at the Planning Commission hearing and the Commission unanimously approved, finding the existing zoning inconsistent with the neighborhood character.

Council: Pelham Gardens (July 27, 2005); CPC: Pelham Gardens (C 050289 ZMX) (June 22, 2005). CITYADMIN