Potential SoHo/NoHo Rezoning
Borough President Gale Brewer, the Department of City Planning, and City Councilmember Margaret Chin have initiated a process to examine the unique M1-5A and B zoning of the NoHo and SoHo neighborhoods and potentially propose changes. Toward that end, they have formed and begun meetings with an advisory panel of stakeholders to help inform the process. In spite of the fact that GVSHP is the largest membership organization covering the affected areas (all of NoHo lies within our catchment area, as does a part of the SoHo zoning district), the organizers refused to allow GVSHP to participate in the panel. However, several groups with whom we work closely and who are strong advocates for these neighborhoods and issues we care about are on the panel. Nevertheless, we have seen this administration consistently use the rezoning process as a way to strip away hard-fought-for neighborhood protections and to grant favors to developers and campaign contributors to the Mayor. Unfortunately, in some cases, some of our elected officials have abetted this process. The first meeting on this topic to which the public will be allowed access is on February 6 (time and location TBD) and a second will be on February 28. For those who care about the future of these neighborhoods, we strongly urge you to put these dates on your calendar and to participate in and engage this process. It’s critical that we stand up for preservation and sensible development controls in these special, unique neighborhoods. As soon as more information is available, we will share it. |
January 14, 2019