Lenox Terrace Association of Concerned Tenants (LT-ACT)
Community Board 10 Votes No
On Olnick Proposed Rezoning
Community Board sides with LT-ACT
& Central Harlem Community
Copyright 2019 Lenox Terrace Association of Concerned Tenants
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer Sides With Tenants & CB10
Against Olnick Proposed Rezoning
MBP Brewer recommends that rezoning proposal be denied, City planning calls last-minute hearing for Wednesday
NEW YORK — Dec. 16, 2019 - Today, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer recommended against adopting a proposed plan to demolish several buildings in the Lenox Terrace development and replace them with new luxury apartments and overscale retail stores. Brewer’s decision echoes a rejection of the plan by Manhattan Community Board 10 last month.
The rezoning application, filed by the Olnick Organization, owners of Lenox Terrace, is also opposed by the Lenox Terrace Association of Concerned Tenants (LT-ACT), which represents tenants in the development.
Brewer was unequivocal in her condemnation of the proposed rezoning project. In her comments to the Department of City Planning she said, “There are few instances where a development the scale of the one proposed can be viewed as responsible. The Proposed Project lacks the public and private investments necessary to make it a prudent exercise of planning for future growth.”
Brewer's opposition statement also spoke to size and scale of the project: “The proposed project is expected to take place on a single development site. It is expected to create 1,700 DU's [dwelling units], a population increase of approximately 4,000. That is nearly half the amount of the East Harlem Rezoning (3,500 DU's) to the south of the Project Area, and 40% of the size of the Inwood Rezoning (4,908 DUs) to the north. However, the East Harlem rezoning covered 69 square blocks; Inwood covered 62. By comparison, the increase in housing units and population expected at this site will occupy just 3 square blocks, and cause a disproportionate impact on local residents, infrastructure, economy, and educational resources.”
Tenants applaud Brewer’s support.
“I commend and thank the Manhattan borough president for her true leadership and unwavering support for tenants in opposing this monstrous rezoning proposal,” said LT-ACT President Lenn Shebar about Brewer's “no” recommendation.
To read the full LT-ACT press release click HERE.
To read MBP Brewer's full "Disapproval" Recommendation to CPC click HERE.
NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2019 — Last night, Manhattan Community Board 10 voted to “disapprove the Olnick Rezoning Plan” that would substantially rezone the Lenox Terrace neighborhood and allow for the construction of luxury towers and overscale retail stores. The rezoning application, filed by the Olnick Organization, is opposed by the Lenox Terrace Association of Concerned Tenants (LT-ACT).
The Olnick Organization’s application is seeking to rezone Lenox Terrace from the current residential zoning to a C6-2 designation, which is “normally found in the central business district and regional commercial centers,” according to the City’s Zoning Resolution. If passed, the rezoning would unleash development of “destination retail” stores, akin to Bronx Terminal Market, for the first time in the complex, while also allowing five new 28-story towers in Lenox Terrace, more than doubling the density within the complex.
The Community Board’s resolution rejected the rezoning, finding it “not consistent with the present and future needs of the community.”
The Olnick proposal now moves through the ULURP process to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's office. She will be holding a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 18th @ 6pm at Kennedy Center on W. 134th St.
Read our full press release HERE.
Read the full CB10 resolution HERE.
CB 10 Community Meeting and vote - 6 Nov. 2019