State and federal politicians are urging the city to reduce the density of new buildings in South Corona — saying the area is already strained by the current population.
Assembly member Francisco Moya, Rep. Joseph Crowley and State Senator Jose Peralta met this week and told the city that schools and infrastructure in South Corona are overcapacity, DNAinfo reported. The politicians believe that reducing the allowable density of new buildings is the answer.
“Smart development requires building in a way that is consistent with the neighborhood that’s being developed,” Assembly member Francisco Moya said, according to the website.
The politicians said they want to see downzoning from R5, R6 and R6B but did not indicate what they would like to see replace the zoning provisions.
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s rezoning plans for the area were approved in March, even though Community Board 4 voted against it. The rezoning includes Zoning for Quality and Affordability, which allows for increased height allowances, and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, which allows developers to build beyond a site’s allowed buildable square footage — as long as they include affordable housing at the project.
The backlash in South Corona is the latest example of rezoning creating tension between city and local officials. Downtown Brooklyn council member Stephen Levin recently took issue with a Savanna’s planned mixed-use development in the area. The developer is seeking a rezoning under MIH in order to bring 270 apartments to the area — including 81 below-market rentals. This month, The Real Deal examined the early problems of the mayor’s signature housing policy. [DNAinfo] — Miriam Hall