The City of Yes Presentation to CB 10
Tonight Community Board 10 had two representatives from the DCP (Department of City Planning) speak about The City of Yes. David Weissglass is the current Team Leader for Southern Brooklyn the DCP Brooklyn Office. Lucia Cappuccio answered questions in the Zoom chat.
The City of Yes is supposed to eliminate some of the barriers in the current zoning to allow new business owners to get set up in a community.
The presenters said that the reason they are talking about business on corner properties is because in some communities, there are no grocery stores near by and the residents WANT a small business on their corner so they can can shop near their home.
The City of Yes is supposed to help the new small businesses that started in people’s homes during the pandemic. Since entrepreneurs need staff, the City of Yes will allow three workers in a home business. Whose going to check to see if there are three workers or eight?
The problem with the City of Yes is that it is a one-size-fits-all zoning. It could allow for rich business owners to dominate in a residential area. It can also allow for businesses that are noisy to disturb their neighbors (the police don’t have the time to monitor this).
During the meeting, the speakers said there were 300 empty store fronts in our area (out of 2,500 storefronts). Another Ridgite mentioned that the basement apartments are the affordable apartments in the area. Why take that away from people for businesses when there are so many empty storefronts?
One Bay Ridge resident asked, “Why can’t the money that is being put towards this program be used to help the small businesses in our area?
Bay Ridge businesses pay fees and taxes that these new home businesses won’t pay.
The reason for this meeting is so the public can give their input.
Community Board 10’s input is only advisory. The Committee was very good, especially the head of the committee who kept asking questions and moving the meeting along.
The reality is NYC Council is going to vote on this in February. They most likely will vote yes because they vote yes for almost every vote.
I tried to find politicians against The City of Yes and instead I found this article where Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso thinks the City of Yes doesn’t go far enough – he even mentioned Bay Ridge! (See article)
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »