At the planning board meeting to discuss the approval of a new 28 story mixed use building in our downtown.
The audience is probably mostly NIMBYs, and I’m trying to represent the pro-housing, pro-urbanism view that often gets drowned out.
The team behind the proposal have done more than enough due diligence to make sure that this is a responsible and well thought out development. It fully conforms to the goal of our brilliant downtown zoning.
We need to choose a vibrant growing downtown. We need to say Yes to housing. We cannot let this opportunity go to waste: the opportunity of our downtown overlay zone (DOZ). I hope the board chooses to seize this opportunity and any opportunities in the future to ensure our city’s healthy growth.
Are these meetings well-organized or is it a total shitshow with everyone yelling over each other?
I would think New Rochelle being a relatively large municipality would have a sophisticated planning board that follows Robert’s Rules of Order or a similar code, but you never know…
that’s a cool little building. Jet age modern. Kind of a shame to see it go, but 400+ units is big. Wouldnt be shocked if this grows taller too, this is DO-1 zoning aka where they want to build out a dense downtown core. Hopefully we’ll hear something about 11 Lawton one of these days too.
A very vocal minority is working against this project. While their Facebook page has only about 200 followers, it is consistently the same five individuals who speak at public meetings. It is ironic to hear this group claim they aren’t against development while simultaneously trying to halt it unless it meets their specific parameters. The DOZ has existed for about a decade now. There is nothing illegal about the project as it fully conforms to DOZ guidelines and regulations. All they will accomplish with this lawsuit is delay the project.
