Monday, March 10, 2008

Public Scoping Meeting for Toll Brothers Gowanus Project This Thursday, March 13

As the Department of City Planning website announces,

"A public scoping meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2008 from 2:00 to 5:45 PM and from 6:00 to 8:45 PM at the City of New York Department of City Planning, Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, New York, New York 10007. Written comments will be accepted by the lead agency through the tenth day following the scoping meeting.

Copies of the Draft Scope of Work and the Environmental Assessment Statement may be obtained from the Environmental Assessment and Review Division, New York City Department of City Planning, 22 Reade Street, 4E, New York, New York 10007, Robert Dobruskin, Director (212) 720-3423; or from the Office of Environmental Coordination, 253 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10007, Robert Kulikowski, Ph.D., Director (212) 788-2937."

These documents can also be found on the Department of City Planning website in pdf form.


The Toll Brothers wants to build approximately six hundred units of housing, ranging in heights up to 12 stories in a three acre space. It will, among other things, involve remediation of the contaminated portions of the site and remapping streets. Since the area isn't zoned for this type of development, several steps must be taken before any work can begin.

One of these procedures is a special meeting called a "scoping hearing," where the residents of our neighborhood get to speak their mind about the things they like or dislike about the proposed project.

The following is a list of subjects that the developer must address. Look over the list. Whether you are concerned about how larger sized buildings will affect your sunlight, how the additional housing will affect the amount of raw sewage flowing into the canal, or how the additional cars will affect the parking and traffic conditions, this is your chance to speak up. You may speak of any other concerns you may have; it does not have to be a topic on this list.

At the spoking hearing, each person has 3 minutes to orally communicate their concerns. There is also an opportunity to fully address your concerns in writing. The written comments must be sent-in before March 24, 2008.

Here is a list of possible subjects:

Land use, zoning and public policy, socioeconomic conditions, community facilities and services, open space, shadows, historic resources, urban design/visual resources, neighborhood character, natural resources, hazardous materials, waterfront revitalization program, infrastructure, solid waste and sanitation services, energy, traffic and parking, transit and pedestrians, air quality, noise, construction impacts, public health.

Please contact the USBA or one of our linked organizations, such as Friends of Bond, CORD, or FROGG for more information.

Spread the word and take this opportunity to make an impact in our community.

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