Despite reports last month that the owner of the former police precinct house at 72 Poplar Street in Brooklyn Heights was abandoning plans to convert the building to residential use amidst resistance from the city and community, a large crew of locals turned up at last nights Community Board 2 Land Use meeting to advocate for the idea. After the presentation of a petition with 104 signatures, a motion was cobbled together that the community board support development of the property for residential use, ncluding support for the legal intervention needed to get the rear yard requirement waived. Even BHA head Judy Stanton joined in the 9-0 vote in favor. In all likelihood, the motion will go to the full board at its January 9 meeting. We’re scratching our heads over this one: Perhaps it was a lesser-of-two-evils decision. After all, the last thing Heights residents want is some high-traffic community-use project in their backyard.
Former Heights Precinct Will Not Go Condo [Brownstoner] GMAP
Developer Abandons Conversion Plans For 86th Precinct [Brooklyn Eagle]