Bed-Stuy Rezoning
by Courtney GrossOctober 30, 2007
In response to growing development in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the City Council also approved a rezoning for 206 blocks in the southern portion of the neighborhood. The zoning revisions were approved by a vote of 49 to 0.
As more developers eye the brownstone blocks of Bed-Stuy, both residents and city officials called for a rezoning to preserve the character, density and height of the neighborhood. The new zoning will also preserve existing commercial uses and provide incentives to develop vacant lots.
Councilmember Al Vann, who represents part of the area, said the rezoning is meant to stifle the rush of unscrupulous developers in some areas and promote mid-rise apartment construction in others.
" As you all know Bed-Stuy has been discovered - you know like Columbus discovered America," said Vann. "The rush is on."
The rezoning area is bounded by Lafayette Avenue and Quincy Street to the north, Classon Avenue to the west, Saratoga Avenue and Broadway to the east and Atlantic Avenue to the south. It will also provide incentives to construct affordable housing, which city officials predict could reach 400 units.
Vann said this rezoning is only a first step. The city is now working on a plan to address development occurring in the northern section of the neighborhood.