Testimony to the City Planning Commission Regarding 870–888 Atlantic & 1034–1042 Atlantic
Commissioners:
I’d like to thank the City Planning Commission for the opportunity to testify today regarding the proposed rezonings at 1034 to 1042 Atlantic Avenue and 870 to 888 Atlantic Avenue.
As you may know, these two projects were certified under the previous Council Member with a timeline that made it clear her successor would ultimately vote on the projects. Considering this process left me without the explicit opportunity to be involved from the beginning, I cannot in good conscience vote to approve either of these projects.
Further, our current process of green-lighting developer-initiated spot rezonings upon request has resulted in a patchwork of new residential developments that do not adequately meet the needs of local communities, are out of sync with their surrounding neighborhood, and have the capacity to greatly exacerbate gentrification, particularly in the majority-Black neighborhoods that have seen thousands of residents pushed out of their homes over the past decade.
As such, I support a comprehensive vision for city planning — not just for our city at large but also for the 35th District. That starts along Atlantic Avenue, where we have a chance to foster a community-led process that will center our neighbors’ needs.
I have already asked the developers of these two projects to kindly withdraw their applications so that my office can be involved at every step of the process and so we can embark upon a community-led revisioning of this dangerous corridor.
Today, I still oppose these two projects and strongly encourage Y & T Development LLC and EMP Capital Group to withdraw their applications and resubmit once we’ve had an opportunity to collect community input and create a comprehensive plan in partnership with the Department of City Planning, Department of Transportation and others, that incorporates our community’s needs for a safer Atlantic Avenue for pedestrians and future residents alike.
Thank you.
