Residents Oppose Rezoning for the "GO Broome" Development on LES

"GO Broome" is the name of a massive real-estate development project proposed for the Lower East Side, currently going through the city's public review process (known as ULURP).

This plan is led by Gotham Realty Organization, in partnership with the Chinatown Planning Council Housing Development Fund Company Inc. (CPC), who are petitioning the city to change the zoning of this block in order to create their vision for 466,901 sf of new development space, making it 100 feet taller and 5 feet closer to the curb than even any of the surrounding buildings in Essex Crossing. Here is the link for the Land Use Review Application for Go Broome Street Development.

The developer is requesting a zoning variance to R9 zoning (never seen previously in CB3), to get approval for a building almost 3 times what the current zoning allows. This building would be taller than any development at Essex Crossing, which went through decades of community review.

Our Community Board has already voted in support of this plan.The process is still with the borough president and will then move to City Planning Commission for a vote, and then to City Council. A chart from the city can be found here.

After CB3, the process goes to the following parties on its way through ULURP:

• Borough President (30 days)
• City Planning Commission (60 days) * required to hold a public hearing
• City Council (50 days) * required to hold a public hearing
• Mayor approval or veto

Only the City Council can approve or deny the application. CPC is an organization that has provided valuable services to the neighborhood for years, but the specific details of this project are untenable for residents here. Since they are the landowner , if they respect R8 zoning CPC can still choose to present a plan including a mixed-use building with a headquarters and a solid mix of senior and affordable housing ( which neighbors can support ).

COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

1. Height and Bulk/ReZone- waivers for distance between buildings, there are too many variance asks. EVEN WITH THE REZONE, THE PROJECT FAR OVER DEVELOPS PROPERTY.

2. Questionable History of Gotham Realty- facing legal action by the Fair Housing Justice Corp. regarding an extensive history of violating the human rights and fair housing rights of the disabled.

3. Ratio of Market Rate Apartments to Affordable Housing and the questionable determination of those figures.

4. No Traffic/Waste Study has been done- too much large scale construction on very narrow streets.

COMMUNITY REQUESTS:

1.No Rezone. No change to the R8 guidelines for building in that location. A small footprint building with density restrictions in place. Keep R8 zoning.

2. All approval suspended until ADA lawsuit against Gotham is resolved.

3. All approval suspended until thorough Traffic/Waste Study is complete.

4. More actually affordable housing

The Petitioners request that our elected officials vote against the rezoning of the "GO Broome" development under these conditions and stipulations. We the undersigned live in the buildings adjoined, across, behind, next to or in close proximity to the proposed development and will be adversely impacted in so many ways by what this variance will bring to the neighborhood.