Pols Skip Out on Toll Brothers Gowanus Hearing

What happens if you hold a City Council sub-committee hearing and only one member shows up? Well, for one, there’s no vote and, two, you have a bunch of pissed off constituents who gave up a good portion of their day to attend. Such was the scene at City Hall on Wednesday where the Zoning and Franchises Sub-Committee’s public hearing on the Toll Brothers’ Gowanus project was held. The only problem was, reports Pardon Me For Asking, that Chair Tony Avella was the only one on the committee able to squeeze it into his schedule. Even though there was no vote, there were some strong words exchanged between Council Member Bill DeBlasio, who now supports the project in its current form, and community members who, among other things, would like to see the height restriction scaled back from 12 stories to 8 stories. “There is going to be a certain amount of height to make it feasible,” said DeBalsio. “That is just the reality we are living with.” Another concern, expressed by CB6 manager Craig Hammerman, was that the affordable housing clause currently has no teeth. ” If you can assure us the money is there,” said Toll Brothers’ VP David Von Speckelsen, “We will build the affordable housing.” The matter is expected to be picked up again on Monday, or the next time there’s a quorum.
Residents Showed Up To Testify, But Council Members Not There [PMFA]
Gowanus Resident Speaks Out Against Toll Brothers’ Project [PMFA]
City Approved Toll Brothers Gowanus Plan…2 Weeks Ago! [Brownstoner]