The mayor in 2015 set a goal of rezoning up to 15 neighborhoods in a drive to create more density and more affordable housing. Five rezonings have passed and at least three are likely to move forward in 2019.
The challenge contends the Inwood rezoning’s environmental impact study missed important factors such as the impact on preferential rent leases, racial displacement, and minority- and women-owned businesses.
Some East Harlem residents are less optimistic about the prospect of the new stations, and are particularly concerned about the potential disruption caused by their construction, which is estimated to take about nine years.
But three members voted no, voicing objections over the plan and the process.
As elected officials, community advocates and residents raised questions about the lack of ULURP for the proposed towers, Community Planning Commission members voiced doubts about the accuracy of the city’s environmental reviews.
Opposition to the towers is vocal, and the oppositions’ strategies are varied: Some want to force a land-use review via legislation, while others are threatening a lawsuit.
Bitterly opposed by many neighborhood residents, the rezoning passed the Council with a single no vote.
Two days before the final City Council vote, hundreds rallied against the plan and several submitted to arrest. What is their argument against the plan that the mayor proposes and the Council looks likely to approve?
After a Council committee approved the Inwood rezoning, a lawmaker had harsh words for the mayor. And back in the neighborhood, Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez faced protesters occupying his office.
The controversial ‘Commercial U’ is out, and the rezoning has cleared its subcommittee and committee votes.