Gowanus Rezoning: City Council Hearing Scheduled For Tuesday

BROOKLYN, NY — Members of the public will soon have a chance to share their thoughts on the city's controversial plan to rezone Gowanus, as city officials will hold a virtual hearing Tuesday morning.

The New York City Council's Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will host the hearing at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Those interested in watching it can do so here.

Anyone who would like to testify on the Gowanus Neighborhood Plan at the hearing must register in advance here. Registrants will receive an email with information on joining it via Zoom webcam or phone call-in.

The City Council will also accept written testimony up to 72 hours after the hearing has been closed.

Tuesday's hearing comes after the rezoning plan was greenlit almost unanimously by the City Planning Commission last month. All but one member of the commission, who abstained, signed off on the project.

When the City Council votes on the proposal, its review process will be complete — aside from a potential veto from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The Gowanus Neighborhood Plan would transform the once-industrial neighborhood by changing zoning rules in 80 blocks around the Gowanus Canal.

It would create roughly 8,200 units of housing, around one-third of which would be designated as affordable.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said he supports the project, though on the condition that the city fully fund public housing repairs in the neighborhood.

Community Board 6, which oversees most of the 80 blocks that would transform under the plan, overwhelmingly approved the project. However, Community Board 2, which oversees four of the 80 blocks, voted against it.