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October 15, 2009

Meeting About Special Lefferts Rezoning Request Tonight

86-Lefferts-Place-1009.jpgWe only just found about about this, probably because the organizers don't want the Brownstoner crowd showing up, but there's a meeting being held tonight about CNR Healthcare's proposal to get a special upzoning of a block of Lefferts Place to enable them to build an outsized supportive services facility on the otherwise residential block. There's a great deal of opposition from people who own homes on the neighboring two blocks. As we reported back in July, the company has shown an unwillingness to work with residents to find a more palatable solution, preferring instead to try to ram the rezoning down their throats. More than 200 people have signed the petition against the upzoning. The meeting takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at the senior center at 966 Fulton Street between Grand and Cambridge.




Posted by Brownstoner at 11:12 AM | Comments (17)
Categories: Clinton Hill, Development, Zoning

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"...proposal to get a special upzoning of a block of Lefferts Place to enable them to build an outsized supportive services facility on the otherwise residential block."

I don't think this description is accurate.

Posted by: g man at October 15, 2009 12:29 PM

Unfortunately, it is accurate. CNR does not want to seek a variance for the lot because it would be difficult, if not impossible to get, and don't want to scale down the size of the proposed development.

Their solution is to seek a rezoning of an entire block to R7A (the same as Atlatic, Fulton and Myrtle). This is a larger scale zoning classification than what the lot was zoned for prior to the rezoning in 2007 (it was previously R6, now it is R6B contextual zoning).

Other developers would love this decision because it would allow them to knock down any building they could buy on the block and build something much larger and taller than the existing mid to late 19th century houses.

If they're going to build it, do it within the scope of existing zoning and don't endanger the rest of the block by making all the other propertis susceptible to demolition and overscale development by unscrupulous developers who don't care about the quality of life for those who live on the street. There was a reason why R6B zoning passed. The only thing that makes this different is that the development is not luxury condos. Fine, but why endanger the whole block to overdevelopment and demolition?

Posted by: 1842 at October 15, 2009 1:33 PM

I'll repost my comment from yesterday: I love the historic residential enclave of Lefferts Place. I'm happy that the new developers have decided to design and build townhouses on Lefferts that are contextual and respectful of the neighborhood's rich architectural history. However, I'm utterly shocked and dismayed that Letitia James, Hakeem Jefferies, Velmanette Montgomery and CB2 are actually considering upzoning Lefferts Place from R6B (same as all residential streets in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene) to R7A (same as Fulton, Myrtle and Atlantic) to accommodate a health care developer's plan to build a mammoth senior housing and nursing center on the street.

Where are the presevationists on this issue? It took the Dept of City Planning 40 years to change the zoning law to protect the low scale character of our historic neighborhoods but now a mere two years later they are attempting to selectively reverse this much sought after protection. Where's the outrage? Where does the Society for Clinton Hill and the Fort Greene Association stand on the possible upzoning of Lefferts Place? If DCP and SBA upzones Lefferts Place, it should send a chill down the spine of everyone living in Brownstone Brooklyn.

Posted by: DoubleBlackDiamond at October 15, 2009 1:49 PM

I'll repost my comment from yesterday: I love the historic residential enclave of Lefferts Place. I'm happy that the new developers have decided to design and build townhouses on Lefferts that are contextual and respectful of the neighborhood's rich architectural history. However, I'm utterly shocked and dismayed that Letitia James, Hakeem Jefferies, Velmanette Montgomery and CB2 are actually considering upzoning Lefferts Place from R6B (same as all residential streets in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene) to R7A (same as Fulton, Myrtle and Atlantic) to accommodate a health care developer's plan to build a mammoth senior housing and nursing center on the street.

Where are the presevationists on this issue? It took the Dept of City Planning 40 years to change the zoning law to protect the low scale character of our historic neighborhoods but now a mere two years later they are attempting to selectively reverse this much sought after protection. Where's the outrage? Where does the Society for Clinton Hill and the Fort Greene Association stand on the possible upzoning of Lefferts Place? If DCP and SBA upzones Lefferts Place, it should send a chill down the spine of everyone living in Brownstone Brooklyn.

Posted by: DoubleBlackDiamond at October 15, 2009 1:51 PM

I do not believe that a zoning application, if filed, will be for the entire block (or for all three blocks south of Lefferts Place, as I have also heard).

Posted by: g man at October 15, 2009 2:03 PM

If this rezoning goes through, what's to prevent the developer from selling to someone who will build something totally different there?

Selective rezoning based on who owns the property is ridiculous. There's no way that Lefferts Place is the right street to build this development.

Posted by: zinka at October 15, 2009 2:22 PM

G man, that is what they are proposing, rezoning at least one block because they do not think that they can legally qualify for a variance from the zoning for their lot. So instead of making the project work in the existing zoning, they want to rezone everyone else's property on the block.

Posted by: 1842 at October 15, 2009 2:53 PM

zinka, there is nothing stopping that, nor would there be anything stopping developers from buying other houses and demolishing them for larger buildings.

Posted by: 1842 at October 15, 2009 2:54 PM

Lefferts Place has three large and contiguous development lots that are of great concern to the community: 70 Lefferts Place (65’ x 120’), 86 Lefferts Place (165’ x 119’) and 96 Lefferts Place (58’ x 123’).  Since Lefferts Place was excluded from the initial designation of the Clinton Hill Historic District in 1981, the street has become a favorite and frequent target of developers.

Lefferts Place is a small residential enclave that consists of three tree-lined blocks in the southeastern corner of Clinton Hill.  Known for its architectural diversity and beauty, the streetscape is mostly comprised of Italianate, Greek Revival, Romanesque, Queen Anne and 19th & 20th Century townhouses and villas.  Of the original freestanding suburban villas in Clinton Hill, very few remain.  One rare free standing Italianate villa, the James W. Elwell House (c. 1854), located at 70 Lefferts Place, is a designated NYC landmark. In addition to the Elwell House, there is a two-story Greek Revival residence at 96 Lefferts Place that dates to as early as 1853.   Lefferts Place is part of the Clinton Hill South Historic District as designated by the National Registry of Historic Places and is included in the proposed expansion of the Clinton Hill Historic District.  Many of us who reside on Lefferts Place were drawn to this section of Clinton Hill because of its small community feel and significant architectural history.  As such, residents of Lefferts Place have become over the years some of the strongest and most outspoken advocates for historic preservation and low-density development in Clinton Hill.

Posted by: DoubleBlackDiamond at October 15, 2009 3:31 PM

Well, 1842, I guess we will all know later tonight. I stand by my earlier comment.

Posted by: g man at October 15, 2009 4:30 PM

Having spoken to the attorneys for CNR, an upzone for the entire block is exactly what CNR is looking to do. They do not qualify for a variance as they need to prove hardship. There is not hardship here.

Posted by: brokestone at October 15, 2009 5:47 PM

G Man, the community is against the rezoning of all or part of Lefferts Place. We do not support a variance of any sought as well. The members of the Lefferts Place Civic Association, which is the largest block association in southeastern Clinton Hill, voted unanimously against the CNR proposal. The other two neighboring block associations did the same. Homewoner, renters and seniors who are part of the Lefferts Place community are against the proposed development. Lefferts is a historic residential neigborhood (R6B) and a project of this size and scope is highly inappropriate for this neighborhood. There are plenty of vacant lots on both Fulton and Atlantic Aves (already zoned R7A) that is far more suitable. Question: what dog do you have in this fight? Just curious.

Posted by: DoubleBlackDiamond at October 15, 2009 6:03 PM

Every citizen of New York City has a dog in every zoning decision made here. Decisions should be made city wide or block by block this will turn into Houston. You have made a good case for retaining the R6B and I support you, but we all have a dog in the fight, no single block should decide for themselves.

Posted by: Marie Brown at October 15, 2009 8:19 PM

This is an exquisite neighborhood. I have a good friend who owns and grew up nearby, on Lincoln Road. When I visit, everyone seemed to know everyone, but in a positive way -- I smiled at anyone looking my way and they all smiled right back. And didn't this area -- maybe even Lincoln Road -- win "Greenest Block in Brooklyn" this year? If this area is re-zoned, lord knows what !"#* will get built given the current economy.

Posted by: bklyn20 at October 15, 2009 10:39 PM

bklyn20, I think you're extremely confused about where we're talking about. This is Clinton Hill, not Flatbush.

Posted by: zinka at October 16, 2009 12:14 PM

bkln, Lincoln road is in a different (and yes nice) neighborhood - Prospect Lefferts Gardens - this is Lefferts Place in Clinton Hill.

Posted by: 1842 at October 16, 2009 12:16 PM

DBD, I don't have a dog in this fight other than a desire to have the facts accurately presented. None of my comments above express an opinion on the project.

Posted by: g man at October 16, 2009 2:38 PM

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