Housing and Homelessness
Hopes and Fears Shared at Hearing on Inwood Rezoning
Sadef Ali Kully |
The Council subcommittee hearing brings the proposed rezoning one step closer to a final vote.
The Council subcommittee hearing brings the proposed rezoning one step closer to a final vote.
There was a lone vote against the plan to upzone several blocks, preserve the current mix on others, replace the library and try to connect the neighborhood to its waterfront. Next stop is the City Council.
Some Planning Commission members expressed concerns during their questioning of city officials.
Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez’s community meeting on Sunday came midway through the public review procedure through which the Inwood rezoning will be approved or disproved.
Her decision is non-binding, but sends a message to the de Blasio administration that EDC’s plans for Inwood requires substantial changes.
Most speakers called on the Borough President to vote no to the proposed Inwood rezoning, saying it would exacerbate displacement and tax local infrastructure.
The board’s vote is not binding, but it sends a signal to higher powers that the rezoning proposal will need to change before it has local support.
Manhattan Community Board 12’s executive committee passed a resolution calling for changes to the de Blasio administration’s proposed rezoning.
Members of the crowd at Monday’s hearing expressed other concerns about the rezoning plan, including how the influx of residents the new development will bring could impact local schools and crowded subway lines.
Community Board 12 has one month to deliberate the passionate views expressed on the Economic Development Corporation’s proposed neighborhood rezoning.