The saga of the Gowanus Neighborhood Planning Study, approved by New York City at the end of 2021, continues into the summer of 2022. Opponents claimed the Gowanus rezoning ran afoul of the state’s environment law. A county judge dismissed the case.

“The Kings County Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to overturn the Gowanus Rezoning,” reports Kristyn Brendlen for Brooklyn Paper.
The lawsuit, brought by community groups Voice of Gowanus and Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus along with individual community members, was dismissed due to a technical error. The lawsuit alleged “that the city’s environmental review of the massive upzoning was inadequate and that the respondents had violated state environmental law,” according to Brendlen.
The Gowanus Neighborhood Planning Study, in the works for years before final adoption at the end of 2021, has already spurred a wave of development investment interest in this corner of Brooklyn, according to previous Planetizen coverage. The rezoning would allow up to 8,000 new residential units.
FULL STORY: Brooklyn Supreme Court tosses lawsuit against Gowanus rezoning

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts
Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

Austin’s Project Connect Transit Plan Drastically Reduced
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‘Bus Revolution’ Revised in Philadelphia
The bus system redesign underway in Philadelphia changed direction after riders and local politicians complained about an initial draft plan.

Hudson Valley City Bans Fossil Fuels in New Construction
Beacon will require all-electric appliances in new buildings starting next year.
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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.
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