Draft Rezoning for Gowanus Released

Planners in New York City released the latest in a series of rezonings of New York City neighborhoods.

1 minute read

June 7, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gowanus Canal

Felix Lipov / Shutterstock

Daniel Geiger reports that the New York City Department of Planning recently released a draft rezoning plan for the Gowanus neighborhood [pdf] of Brooklyn in New York.

"The plan imagines remaking the low-rise, formerly industrial neighborhood into a denser, mixed-use district with far more housing and park space and a revitalized Gowanus Canal while preserving affordability, businesses and the area's character," according to Geiger.

Geiger notes that the plan attempts to preempt some of the controversies that have slowed other recent rezonings in New York by "[dedicating] much of its 115 pages to the perks it would offer existing residents and businesses."

Development spurred by the rezoning would be required to remediate polluted sites in the neighborhood, which were contaminated by manufacturing and industrial businesses decades ago. New residential and mixed-use buildings along the currently filthy canal would be required to create a public waterfront esplanade and access for pedestrians.

The plan already has early support from Councilmember Brad Lander, who represents most of the area covered by the new plan. A more detailed draft of the plan will be released later this year.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in Crain's New York Business

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Dilapidated vacant wood slat house painted white in Louisiana

The Quiet Housing Crisis in Rural America

While housing shortages in major cities are grabbing headlines, rural communities are seeing higher rates of growth in housing prices and a silently spreading homelessness crisis.

March 20, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

A view of the Boise skyline, across tress int he foreground. The state capitol is visible amongst other office buildings.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise

A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

March 20, 2023 - Boise Dev

South of Market

11,000 Housing Units Possible with S.F. Office Conversions, Study Says

A new study by SPUR and the Urban Land Institute’s San Francisco chapter estimates a specific number of apartment units that could be built from vacant office units in the city.

2 hours ago - The San Francisco Chronicle

Two people riding bikes with helmets on paved park trail

‘Arrested Mobility:’ How Transportation-Related Laws Impact Black Americans

A far-reaching new study highlights the disproportionate effect of biking and walking laws on the mobility of Black Americans.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

California

California Attorney General Wants to Get Serious About Housing

A bill sponsored by the AG’s office would give the state’s top attorney more power to intervene in lawsuits related to the state’s housing laws.

4 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.