THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Bill de Blasio – PUBLIC ADVOCATE

Bill de Blasio
Office of the Public Advocate
1 Centre Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Monday, June 28, 2010

Chaim Israel
Southern Brooklyn Community Organization
4520-18th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11204

Re: Open Letter to SBCO Regarding the Culver El Rezoning

Dear Mr. Israel,

I would like to offer my enthusiastic support for the Culver El rezoning as proposed
jointly by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the
Department of City Planning (DCP). The plan seeks to reform the zoning designations
within a seven-block region to better fit the existing uses in the area and to facilitate the
development of sixty-eight units of permanent affordable housing and forty-eight
accessory parking spaces for neighborhood community facilities. The proposed rezoning
would bring non-conforming residential uses into conformance while continuing to allow
commercial and light industrial uses to expand or locate in the rezoning area; thereby
protecting the scale and character of the Greenwood Heights neighborhood. Most
importantly, I commend HPD and DCP on their decision to ensure that the disposition of
the two parcels of City-owned land within the area is reserved for the development of
much-needed affordable housing.

The City has a responsibility to use its resources for the benefit of the city's residents and
for the local neighborhoods they hold dear. This project wisely protects the existing
character of this vibrant, mixed-use area and ensures that hard-working families can
continue to afford to live in Greenwood Heights. I believe the proposed use of City-
owned land for affordable housing is not only appropriate for this particular rezoning, but
good public policy. It helps to set strong precedent and encourages the City to use its
resources responsibly.

I urge you to work with HPD and DCP to ensure that the affordable housing offered

1 CENTRE STREET NEW YORK NY 10007 TEL 212 669 7200 FAX 212 669 4701 WWW.PUBADVOCATE.NYC.GOV
 THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Bill de Blasio – PUBLIC ADVOCATE

through the proposal is well-suited to area residents and of the highest quality the City
can offer so that this rezoning can realize its potential to positively impact the Greenwood
Heights neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Bill de Blasio
Public Advocate of the City of New York

CC: Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

CC: Amanda Burden, City Planning Commission
CC: Brad Lander, New York City Council

1 CENTRE STREET NEW YORK NY 10007 TEL 212 669 7200 FAX 212 669 4701 WWW.PUBADVOCATE.NYC.GOV