Plans Kick Off For 18-Story Tower At Prospect Heights McDonald's

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Plans for an 18-story apartment building on Atlantic Avenue have officially started the city's public review process, likely renewing debate about a rapidly-developing section of Prospect and Crown Heights.

The City Planning Commission certified the application for 840 Atlantic Ave. on Monday, marking the start of the project's journey through the review process known as ULURP.

The project proposes changing zoning rules to bring 316 apartments and commercial space to an industrial section of northern Crown Heights, known as M-CROWN, that is slated for more housing under the caveat of preserving jobs.

It has already received mixed reactions from local community board members — who have questioned its size and affordability — and city planners, who contend it is the right fit for the busy Vanderbilt and Atlantic avenue corner.

"We consider this corner to be able to accommodate some additional height and density," City Planning staffer Jonah Rogoff told the commission, noting the busy streets and other incoming developments nearby, including the 22-acre project known as Pacific Park.

"This site shouldn’t necessarily mirror what’s on the other side of the street, but be more of a transition or step down from what’s being considered to the west, and Pacific Park," he added.

Pacific Park, also known as Atlantic Yards, is among a series of developments that have worried neighbors about the changing landscape in Prospect Heights.

The 840 Atlantic Ave. proposal — which will replace a McDonald's, its parking lot and a few other small buildings — sits at the edge of the highly-developed area, which developers have contended they took into account in the design of the building.

Its highest point, 18 stories, would face the busy Vanderbilt and Atlantic avenue intersection and shorter sections as low as three stories would face the less-developed part of the neighborhood starting at Pacific Street, according to designs.

The building would include 316 units of housing, 51,000 square feet of retail and 7,500 square feet of community space, according to the designs. About 95 of the apartments would be set aside as "affordable," likely at 80 percent of area median income, or about $1,250 rent for a studio.

The level of affordability could be a sticking point for the building's approval. Both members of the City Planning Commission and Community Board 8's Land Use Committee asked whether developers had considered making the affordable units even cheaper.

"Proposing something like 80 percent [of the area median income] is not something that is going to win you popularity contests," CB8 Member Sarah Lazur said at a December presentation about the development.

Community Board 8 members also had a chilly reaction to the bulk of the development, which they said is above what they recommended in the M-CROWN plan and could put "development pressure" on the surrounding area.

A proposal with extra bulk would need to include more benefits for the community to be considered, members said.

"People are sensitive now to the rapid pace of development that is happening in Central Brooklyn," Land Use Chair Ethel Tyus said. "We here in Community District 8 are very sensitive to these types of proposals and we will be looking for benefits and moderation for proposals of this size, and girth and substance."

The Atlantic Avenue proposal will head back to Community Board 8 for an official public hearing and vote in the next few weeks.