Karl Fischer SizeChopper: Grand Street Rezoning Approved

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Despite some very loud last-minute opposition to a rezoning of 13 blocks of Williamsburg's Grand Street, the downzone was passed by the City Council yesterday. The measure covers Grand Street from Marcy Avenue (next to the BQE) to Berry Street and limits most new buildings to four-six stories. One of the things that helped speed action on the measure were planned 10 and 15-story Karl Fischer buildings at the corner of Grand Street and Driggs Avenue. Fast work has been going on at one of the sites with demolitions, excavation and a foundation being poured all at the same time, in the hope of slipping in under the old zoning, particularly if opponents had held up the downzoning. There were reports of one or two developers going door to door to rally opposition to the rezoning. Up to 20 possible planned projects might have to be redesigned to meet the new height restrictions. The rezoning also eliminates what opponents call a "much-abused" community facilities provision that allowed construction of bigger buildings in return for what they say was non-community space.
· Grand Street Rezoning Approved [WGPA]
· Building 'Cap' in W'Burg [NYP]
· Opponents: Downzone to Put Burg on 'Teetering Edge of Doom' [Curbed]

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