Gowanus Rezoning To Face City Council This Week: How To Watch

Update: The Gowanus Neighborhood Plan was originally on the agenda for Tuesday's subcommittee meeting, but will now face the subcommittee and Land Use Committee on Wednesday to allow for more time for negotiations, according to council staff.

BROOKLYN, NY — The city's plan to transform Gowanus will take one of the final steps in its review process this week with the City Council zoning subcommittee.

The Gowanus Neighborhood Plan will face both the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and the Land Use Committee on Wednesday, according to council staff. The subcommittee is slated to vote on the proposal at 10:30 a.m. and the Land Use Committee will meet for a vote at 11 a.m.

The subcommittee vote, originally slated for Tuesday, was postponed to give more time for negotiations about the rezoning, which has faced pushback from local council members given several outstanding demands.

Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, though general supporters of the rezoning, have both said their votes will hinge on meeting three demands put forward by the Gowanus Coalition for Justice, including fully funding public housing repairs in the neighborhood. Levin is one of the members of the zoning subcommittee.

What vote Lander and Levin end up taking will likely seal the fate of the rezoning with the rest of City Council, which typically defers to local council members on land use matters.

The subcommittee meeting comes several weeks after City Council held its public hearing on the Gowanus rezoning, which has been in the works for a decade.

The rezoning started the review process, known as ULURP, earlier this year after a months-long legal battle.

It has so far gotten the support of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the community board that oversees the majority of the rezoning area, though both yes votes included a long list of conditions. Community Board 2, whose district includes four of the 80 blocks, voted against the proposal, also with a long list of conditions.

City Council is the last stop for the rezoning before it heads to the mayor's desk. The mayor has the chance to veto ULURP applications, though his decision can face a City Council override.

Read More:

• Gowanus Rezoning: 'Still Critical Work To Do,' Lander Says
• Gowanus Rezoning Gets Green Light From City Planning Commission
• Ida Raises New Climate Concerns For Gowanus Rezoning: Lawmakers
• BK Borough President Approves Gowanus Rezoning, With Conditions
• Gowanus Rezoning Gets Yes Vote, 14-Page 'Road Map' For Changes
• Long-Awaited Gowanus Rezoning Hearing Brings 6 Hours Of Testimony
• Gowanus Rezoning Kicks Off After Judge Lifts Restraining Order
• Judge Stalls Controversial Gowanus Rezoning After Local Lawsuit