Dyker Heights Moves Closer to Downzoning

Best known to outsiders for its over-the-top display of Christmas lights every year, Dyker Heights is now in the news for being one of the many Brooklyn nabes trying to protect its character and heritage through down-zoning. According to City Planning,

The lower-density and contextual zoning districts proposed R3X, R3A, R4-1, R4B and R5B — would preserve the existing scale and character of Dyker Heights’ and Ft. Hamilton’s low-rise blocks. New, moderate-density residential development would be directed to commercial corridors already defined by three-to four-story row houses with ground floor retail uses 86th Street, Ft. Hamilton Parkway, 11th and 13th Avenues. Along these corridors, the mid-density contextual zoning districts proposed C4-2A and R6B would establish height limits consistent with neighboring apartment houses and would deter development of overly large community facility and mixed residential/community facility buildings.

The Brooklyn Paper reports that the Dyker Heights Civic Association signed off on the plan last week in preparation for last night’s meeting of Community Board 16. And there’s definitely political support: This rezoning plan will help protect the unique character of the neighborhood for future generations, said Bay Ridge Rep. Vito Fossella. Did any readers attend the meeting?
Dyker Downzone Moves Ahead [The Brooklyn Paper]
Dyker Heights/Ft. Hamilton Rezoning [NYC.gov]
Photo by gkjarvis