Toll Bros. Hoping to Get a Jump on Gowanus Rezoning
One of the biggest would-be developers in Gowanus is still hoping to start construction in advance of the neighborhood’s official rezoning. An executive at Toll Brothers, which is planning to build around 500 units of townhouses, condos and apartments in the area roughly bounded by Bond Street, Carroll Street, 2nd Street and the canal, told…
One of the biggest would-be developers in Gowanus is still hoping to start construction in advance of the neighborhood’s official rezoning. An executive at Toll Brothers, which is planning to build around 500 units of townhouses, condos and apartments in the area roughly bounded by Bond Street, Carroll Street, 2nd Street and the canal, told us that the firm has been continuing to meet with the city about how our plan conforms to the framework for rezoning Gowanus, because we’d like to get it certified into ULURP. Toll VP David Von Spreckelsen said that one of the main reasons the city released released a preliminary framework for the rezoning was so developers could get plans together that conform to future zoning, since it’s really hard to say how long the rezoning will take to push through. It’s not surprising the company would be looking for more assurance from the city, given that some area residents aren’t exactly sold on the idea of residential development in this location. Von Spreckelsen also confirmed a recent report in the Brooklyn Paper that said several of the company’s planned buildings were 12 stories high, noting that it’s difficult to restrict density when you’re also being asked to provide features like a publicly accessible esplanade and parking. Overall, he said, the people we’ve spoken with have been very positive about our plans. And yet: The whole process has been a much bigger challenge than we anticipated.
Gowanus Groundwork Laid for Toll Brothers in “Subarea B”? [Gowanus Lounge]
A Tall ‘Toll’ on the Gowanus [Brooklyn Paper]
Gowanus Rezoning: Complete Chaos [Brownstoner]
Bioremediation needs to be introduced to the GC before any legit develoment may occur. Like anything if you dont fix the problem now you’ll be fixing down the road which will be much more costly and time consuming. Toll Brothers in not known for there “green” developments, I think there needs to be more consideration to whom the actual developer is and what they have done in the past.
There are plenty of developers out there that concentrate more energy on the enviornment, social and ecological.
Companies like The Organic Gardener NYC consentrates on Bioremdediation and would be a good bet into getting in there way before any ‘edifical’ planning should proceed.
Don’t worry Toll Brothers isn’t getting jack! The community will not allow it and the city has already said they will not use spot zoning or allow a variance in Gowanus. We have a framework we have been working on and Toll will probably have to wait 2+ years to do anything, but being that they don’t actually own the land they will probably pull out if they are smart instead of paying the pricey holding fees on the property.
<< Overall, he said, “the people we’ve spoken with have been very positive about our plans.†>>
Clearly this guy travels in limited circles.
<<>>
-parking is required for any substancial development anywhere in this city. You can’t argue the need for 12 stories to provide parking when those in R5 or 6 zones must to this already,
-as for the esplanade, zoning requires open space for all R5 and R6 zones. How can they wine about this? Besides, the esplanade would be their only protective buffer from flood waters.
So should developer that needs to provide open space and parking be allowed to dictate how high they need to build to clear a sizable profit? Do we just throughout any zoning arangement and let the developers pick their own max height and density?
There has been no rational basis presented as to why THIS particular landscape is appropriate for a housing desnity of 12 story buildings. Given it’s setting in the drainage scheme of THIS landscape and other conditions of this piece of earth, just where does this developer come off putting his proffit needs before all else. Where is the planning here?
Light industry is NOT manufacturing
FSRG
linking CG and PS is a great idea. Walking between the two at night over the canal is something I avoid.
also NYC hasnt been a manufacturing center for decades. SOHO was set to be torn down in the 60’s and it was empty way before then.
I think the first commenter hit the nail on the head. There are significant and costly environmental issues that need to be addressed before there can be any residential development along the canal.
Contrary to 10:11’s assertion, there is no push necessary (unless you’re a developer who spent millions on property you can’t develop.) The environmental, zoning and housing issues are complex. The Army Corps of Engineers, State and City DEC and DEP and City Planning, etc. are all working on this. We should get it right so that it works for the community and Brooklyn, not so that Toll or Boymelgren or whoever, can make millions RIGHT NOW. They will make their money, but it will take time.
The light industry was florishing here until the value of the properties made speculation more lucrative then industry.
While NYC will never again be a manufacturing center; every city needs zones for distribution, local industry, specialty manufactures, etc..
The cleanup here is just too expensive to do in anything other then a full real estate bubble – which appears to be deflating.
FSRG
Development and cleanup go hand in hand. Any cleanup of Gowanus will only come if there are financial interests in making it happen. And that cleanup is a good thing, not just for increasing housing but for public health reasons.
The only argument against it is to preserve the toxicity of the area as a poison pill to protect the remnants of an already diminishing light industry. You can’t turn back time.
Toll Brothers, this would e great for the hood, hope it happens