Plan For Towers By BK Botanic Gardens Heads To Borough Hall

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Brooklynites will have another chance this week to weigh in on a controversial plan to build apartment towers near the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens as the proposal heads to the Borough President's Office.

The 960 Franklin Ave. rezoning — which asks to change zoning rules to make way for more than 1,500 apartments — will face its second public hearing in the review process through an in-person and virtual event at Brooklyn Borough Hall slated for Tuesday.

The hearing follows an overwhelming vote from Community Board 9 to disapprove the more than 30-story towers, which are part of one building.

The project has faced stark backlash —including two lawsuits — since it was first unveiled two years ago given the harmful shadows the building would cast on the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, as well as a nearby playground and local college, and the level of affordability of its apartments.

The Botanic Gardens are already urging supporters to attend the Borough Hall hearing, which will be capped in-person at 100 people but also will be available remotely.

Both City Planning Commissioners and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose votes are among the last stages of the review process, have already come out against the rezoning.

Developers have suggested at least three new, shorter alternatives since proposing their original plans as opposition swelled against the designs.

In its vote, Community Board 9 specified that they are against any modified versions of the application, as well as its current design.

About half of the apartments in the current design will be set aside as "affordable," the cheapest of which for those making at least $39,800, according to the plans.

The project was originally slated to start the review process in March, but was delayed by a since-lifted restraining order stemming from a legal challenge contending a lack of in-person hearings during coronavirus crisis stifled public participation. A similar legal argument also delayed the nearby Gowanus Rezoning.

Tuesday's hearing will start at 5 p.m. in the courtroom at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Information on how to tune in online can be found here.

Read More:

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