Williamsburg waterfront development gets Markowitz’s blessing

Williamsburg’s Rose Plaza on the River development proposal will move on to public hearing later this month after receiving approval from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Wednesday night. The mixed-use waterfront apartment complex was overwhelmingly vetoed by Community Board 1 in December on the grounds that developers Abraham and Isack Rosenberg had not allocated enough of the planned 801 units for affordable housing. The current proposal calls for 160 affordable units, or 20 percent. The developers are seeking a zoning variance for the 3.7 acre site at 470 Kent Avenue because the current manufacturing zone allows buildings to be only 185 feet tall. Markowitz noted in his approval that he would like to see more affordable units and larger apartments for big families in exchange for the permit to build higher towers.
The City Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the proposal Jan. 27. [Post]