In a letter to Community Board 6's Chairman Peter Fleming, Briget expressed concern that the community has not been given adequate information regarding the pollution of the 80-block area slated to be rezoned for residential use. She also points out that residents will not be able to get a fair Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) during the Covid pandemic, as the online webinar format robs the community of an opportunity to truly engage and have their voices heard.
As a local political activist, Community Board 6 member and United Federation of Teachers government liaison to the New York City Council, Bridget has led many social campaigns to enhance labor initiatives throughout Kings County and New York City.
Please join Briget on the Carroll Street Bridge on Carroll Street and the Gowanus Canal for a discussion on the Gowanus rezoning on December 3, 2020 at 12 pm. (Wear masks, of course.)
Below is Briget's letter to CB6.
November 20, 2020
Community Board 6
Peter D. Fleming, Chair
250 Baltic Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Dear Chairman Fleming:
Progress and development of our community is a positive side effect of growth. However, the current plans concerning the Gowanus Rezoning Project undercuts the current state of the Gowanus community and the needs of residents. Without in person community meetings where concerned citizens can have their voices heard, the city is leaving out the voices of our citizens regarding a life-changing project.
The first step of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is the public review of applications affecting the land use of the city. This meeting will be the first time the community has the chance to raise their voices about the project. Because of the pandemic, this is currently an impossibility. Because of this, I am requesting a pause in the process in order to get the Environmental Protection Agencys’ report out to the community.
Alongside many in the community, we are asking for a moratorium because of the lack of an in person meeting and because there is currently a severe lack of information available to us. The EPA has already expressed grave concern over the city’s ability to deal with the overflow expected to result from this rezoning project. Without the accessibility of the EPA’S report to community members there is no avenue for citizens to be educated about the project.
The area under consideration for the rezoning project is a FEMA flood zone, and on top of this issue, the city is promising affordable housing on the most polluted land in the Gowanus Canal area. Lastly, the ability to discuss other important issues surrounding the rezoning project such as workforce housing, and bringing the labor movement together as a voice in this project must be prioritized.
The city charter promises each community the same process through ULURP. The charter also makes it clear that the land use process of rezoning requires in person meetings within the district at a place of public assembly. This is how every neighborhood has gone through this process since the 1970s. This would be the first time a community being rezoned would be without the same rights as every other community.
For these reasons, I am calling for a moratorium on the Gowanus Rezoning project in order to ensure all citizens are heard, and the community receives every opportunity others received prior to this project.
In solidarity,
Briget Rein
CC:
Mayor Bill de Blasio
Congressman Hakeem Jefferies
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Borough President Eric Adams
Council Member Brad Lander
Council Member Steven Levin
State Senator Brian Kavanaugh
State Senator Elect Jabari Brisport
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon
Assembly Member Robert Carroll
District Leader Jesse Pierce
District Leader Josh Skaller
Read more
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