The pressure is mounting on Lightstone Group and its plans to build a 700-unit residential complex on the banks of the Gowanus Canal. Lightstone Group is waiting for the Department of City Planning to hear its application to modify its previously approved permit — the hearing was supposed to take place the day Sandy hit and has not been rescheduled. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Law School Community Development Clinic, acting on behalf of the Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus, has written to Amanda Burden, the head of the city department, and asked that they not greenlight the permit, as the blog Pardon Me For Asking reported. In their view, the modifications are major enough to warrant a full seven-month review from the city under the Uniform Land Use Review Process. (Pushing it through City Planning would violate Article 78, according to the group.) The amended plans call for changes in height, footprint, parking entrances, open space — and an increase in residential units from 447 to 700. Previously, Council Member Brad Lander asked Lightstone to put the complex on hold until a flooding plan for the area could be developed.
Brooklyn Law School Finds City Planning in Violation of Article 78 [PMFA]
The Lightstone Group’s Gowanus Development Faces Legal Scrutiny [TRD]
Brad Lander Asks Lightstone to Withdraw Gowanus Plans [Brownstoner]
Rendering by Lightstone Group Via PMFA


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment