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When the rezoning of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill was approved a couple months earlier than expected, a few developers (and homeowners) were caught with their pants down—and without their foundations complete. Two of these developers will be pleading their cases in front of Community Board 2 on Wednesday night in anticipation of getting a reprieve from the Board of Standards and Appeals. The highest profile project to be affected was 163 Washington Avenue, where plans called for a 17-story residential tower. A second project, which escaped notice at the time, was a more squat building proposed for 72-76 Grand Avenue. We’re still trying to put the pieces together on this one, but it looks to us that this was originally planned to be 3-story, 40-unit building when it was first filed in August 2005; by October of that year, however, plans were calling for 5 stories and 61 units. In the wake of the rezoning, the original plans for the 3-story building were refiled, which may explain why there some workers tromping around the site late last week when we stopped by. The public hearings on both properties will be held on Wednesday, September 19, at 6 p.m. at 5 Metrotech Center, Room LC 400.
Council Approves Three Rezonings (Map) [Brownstoner]
FG/CH Vesting: The Winners and Losers [Brownstoner]
Race Against Clock at 163 Washington [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB

72-76 Grand Avenue: GMAP P*Shark DOB


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  1. The Land Use Committee voted unanimously (14-0-0) to recommend disapproval of the application for 163 Washington Avenue. The committee voted 13 in favor, none opposed, one abstention on a motion to recommend approval of the application for 72-76 Grand Avenue. The committee’s recommendations will be discussed and voted on at the October 10 general meeting of Community Board 2.

    Fairly large crowd for the committee meeting. Eight people, including Councilwoman Letitia James, spoke regarding 163 Washington Avenue. The word “affront” was used by about half of the speakers. A representative from Pratt Institute was the only speaker on 72-76 Grand Avenue.