Community Board Votes Against Controversial Towers at 80 Flatbush Avenue in Boerum Hill

It was a very quick vote.

At Community Board 2’s general meeting Wednesday night at Long Island University, there was overwhelming opposition to the controversial development at 80 Flatbush.

Of the board members, 32 people voted against, one voted in favor, five abstained from voting and two recused themselves.

“There was a very well attended public hearing,” said CB2 First Vice Chairperson Irene Janner. “Many people also came back and attended the Land Use Committee meeting, where it was discussed. I think we’ve probably beaten it to death.”

Only one board member commented before the vote: Dwight Smith, a member of the Boerum Hill Association, responded to recent articles that have described the group as anti-development.

“Forty stories is not anti-development,” he said, referring to the height the developer can build as of right if the proposed rezoning does not pass. “So when you report this evening on these proceedings, please, make note that we strongly support development — intelligent development.”

The proposed development, which will occupy a whole block, calls for two towers, 900 apartments — including 200 affordable units — and two schools. It is being developed by Alloy Development in collaboration with the city’s Educational Construction Fund and community nonprofit Fifth Avenue Committee.

The tallest of of the two towers will reach 74 stories and 920 feet if the rezoning is approved. (To put that in perspective, Brooklyn’s coming supertall at nearby 9 Dekalb will rise 1,066 feet.)

At the end of March, there was a tense public hearing about the project in front of the community board. Their land-use committee voted against the project on April 19.

On April 30, Borough President Eric Adams held a public hearing. His recommendation will be the next step in the official public review process, or ULURP.

Related Stories

• Debate Over 80 Flatbush Development Continues at Borough President’s Public Hearing
• CB 2 Land Use Committee Votes Against Proposed Development at 80 Flatbush
• Residents Voice Concern Over Controversial 80 Flatbush Development in Tense Public Hearing

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.