Battle over Crown Heights rezoning study heats up

Community Board 9 in Crown Heights narrowly upheld a resolution to request a Department of City Planning review of the neighborhood’s current zoning.

Tempers flared at the meeting on Tuesday as opponents, including the community group Movement to Protect the People,  demanded the vote be rescinded, DNAinfo reported. At the heart of the opposition is fear that such a review — or the study request as currently worded — could pave the way for high-rise towers once City Planning issues rezoning suggestions, according to the news site.

Supporters, meanwhile, hope rezoning will generate affordable housing and prevent overdevelopment.

After holding a re-vote, the resolution stood with 17 votes against rescinding – including abstentions – and 16 members voting in favor, DNAinfo reported.

Last year, City Council approved a 55-block rezoning of Crown Heights that allowed for new development on Bedford and Franklin avenues and offered incentives for building affordable units. Business owners have also called on the city to rezone industrial sections of Crown Heights in a bid to promote more mixed-use properties east of Barclays Center. [DNAinfo] – Tom DiChristopher