Brooklyn, NY – In a rare move, the New York City Council today rejected the application to change the zoning of 4802 18th Avenue from a private two-family home to a commercial bank. The unanimous rejection of this zoning change came upon the recommendation of Councilman David G. Greenfield who, because of community opposition, was staunchly opposed to this rezoning. This is the first time in years that the Council has voted to deny a zoning change in Boro Park. Over development is a significant concern in Boro Park where developers have traditionally had free-reign in their development projects.
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Councilmember Greenfield applauded members of the Council Land Use Committee & the full City Council as each unanimously voted against the proposed commercial rezoning of a residential lot in the 44th Council District in Brooklyn. The lot in question sits at the corner of 18th Avenue and 48th Street, an area struggling to keep its residential character. 18th Avenue is a mixed use avenue where some blocks are residential and others are commercial, and this particular block of 18th Avenue is completely residential.
The real estate developer purchased this home just a few years ago with the intention of turning it into some sort of commercial development. After intense speculation on what exactly the developer wanted to build, the developer settled on a proposal to build a full-service seven day a week bank in place of the two-story residential home.
The developer’s proposal to build a bank was unanimously voted down by local Community Board 12. Residents of the block also submitted numerous letters of opposition to the Council’s Land Use committee and appeared at the hearing today to testify unanimously against the zoning application.
Councilman Greenfield thanked his colleagues at the City Council, “I really appreciate Speaker Quinn’s leadership and the support of the entire City Council, especially Chairs Comrie & Weprin, in favor of a grass-roots community effort to keep a residential neighborhood intact,” said Greenfield. “I am absolutely pro-development. But the community’s interests will always come first. In this case, the community board and the neighbors were all opposed to this project for very good reason,” Greenfield explained. “This rezoning would have changed a purely residential block into a commercial one. That would have irreversibly altered the character of this block and community.”
Numerous residents opposed the rezoning because of concerns that the bank would introduce a host of problems associated with commercial zones and banks in particular, including increased traffic, lack of parking and the introduction of a seven day a week after-hour bank in an area where most shops close early and on the weekends.
Councilman Greenfield received dozens of phone calls, emails and faxes opposing this project and not a single one in favor. “Please leave our neighborhood residential, for our children’s sake and for the senior citizens who need some peace and tranquility,” wrote one couple who moved on to the quite block because, in their own words, they would enjoy “mental and physical well being.”
Many of the residents pointed out that the only reason they purchased their homes on 48th Street was because of the fact that the block was completely residential. Even the children on the block got involved by penning a letter to the land use committee imploring them to stop the proposal because if a bank was constructed “there will be so many people on the streets that we will not be able to play outside!”
Councilman Greenfield concurred, “I was elected to advocate on behalf of the community. I am grateful that I was able to do just that and ensure that the residents of 48th Street will continue to enjoy a beautiful residential block,” Greenfield explained. “Boro Park doesn’t need more banks. It needs more blocks like this one.”
It’s about time someone stood up to these developers.
Now where am I going to put my money? I don’t want to have to walk more than one block for a bank!
whats wrong with a bank ???…i dont get it.
it makes it commercial. Put your money under the mattress if you cant walk to the bank 1 or 2 blocks. They should stop the over crowding housing in bourogh prk, its rediculess we live kvetched and developers are the ones cashing in. I guess the most of the community wants that, so its a lost case.
Let’s see he should stop the development I back of shoprite, this one is pure “rishes” of a few neighbors
I knew I liked Greenfield … Go Dovid!!!!
(reply to #3) there’s nothing wrong with a bank, as long as its not next door to me.
people bought homes on the block when it was competely residential, so its not fair to change the zoning for 1 developer
That block on eighteenth ave is fully commercial. In bp we need more commercial zones for shopping. One house less will not ruin the neighborhood, but may host many businesses and jobs.
That block on eighteenth ave is fully commercial. In bp we need more commercial zones for shopping. One house less will not ruin the neighborhood, but may host many businesses and jobs.
The lot in question is on 18th Ave. 18th Ave is commercial. There is no reason why this lot should not be commercial. This was nothing more than a baseless attack against a developer. I hope he gets back at the block by renting rooms in the house to druggies and junkies. Then they’ll beg for a bank.
Every time anyone tries to build anything or rebuilt anything everyone in the area is against it. This might be good or bad but lets not all jump to conclusions.
This house is not really needed in the community. We need more banks who will compete to offer the heimeshe community the services we need at reasonable prices.
David Greenfield is doing his job its best
(reply to #13 ) the one thing boro park doesn’t need is another bank
Go david keep up the work we knew we can count on u
Who needs another bank, There’s no money anyways. look at 13th ave every block another bank empty for most of the day. some even closed down others keep on changing leadership as There’s no money for so many lost business thanks to there stupid greedy banks. on the other hand housing is very vital, families are struggling with decent accomodations. Thank you david for all your hard work. keep it up. and to the nay sayers just get on with life.
The reality is that each chassidus in BP wants its own bank or at least a bank that caters to their special needs (especially for small business loans). It doesn’t make a lot of sense but we also have way too many shuls in BP (for each chassidus and its rebbe) so why should banks be any different.
David Greenfield is proving himself worthy of our confidence. I am impressed by his constant ACTION on the community’s behalf. Keep It up Mr. Greenfield.
lol were is all the money coming from that we need another bank, sounds like bp is the only place that is not in a recession
How ironic.
The one Avenue that does not have a bank
is now denied one.
17, 18, 19, and 20th avenues do not have a single bank between McDonald and 65th St.
I don’t buy the argument of the residents in this particular instance. If you know the area, a commercial establishment on that corner would in no way
disturb 48th St.
Sorry David. Had I known about the hearing
I wouldve supported this project.
I am not taking a side in this issue I need to think about it
But finally after 50 press releases of david greenfeld with no significant issues finally a press release that isn’t a joke
I live on 18th Avenue. That stretch is MOSTLY reisdential. If a bank wants to go in one of the commercial blocks that’s their business (and they can easily do that). The problem here is that a developer wanted to PROFIT by turning one of the residential blocks into a commercial one and building a bank that would be OPEN on SHABBOS. That’s not fair to the neighborhood. Honestly, I didn’t vote from Greenfield, because my mosod told me not to. However, I am now happy he won and will support him for being independent. We need politicians who stand up for us – the little guy. Thanks you R’ Duvid!
All the mavinim who didn’t study the issue in depth have no right to an opinion. The people on this block stood to lose a lot more than a few parking spots. As someone who didn’t vote for David G I can promise I’ll give hom my vote next time. He’s the first politician I’ve ever seen who did the right thing only because it was right. I’m very impressed with him and the block that stood up to powerful developers who don’t give a fig about the next person.
i walked past that block tonite. There is only one other building on that block and it is a shul. Across the avenue the entire block is filled with stores. Most of that are on 18th ave is commercial. I could care less if they build a bank there or not but don’t make it into something it is not.
Improve your neighborhood by rebuilding a beautiful building not a run down house. Oh! and let me guess, the developer forgot to contribute to Councilman David G. Greenfield campaign that’s the only reason I could think of why it was rejected.
Banks do not have working hours that disturb the average haimish family. And the usual bank clientele is a respectable, working crowd – drug dealers and scammers keep their ill gotten gains far away from US banks.
It would only be a convenience for the residents of that area, especially as far as an ATM is concerned. Indeed I hope the developer rents to sleazebags (perhaps not junkies but other problem cases like fake meshuluchim and halfway house types) and that the yachnes and Greenfield learn their lesson – that the business of America is business.
Most people for the bank are just freinds of the “developer” be honest,it’s so typical bp to say oh why not 1-it’s not near my house,2-the developer is a Baal tzaddakah. 3-who cares if it doesn’t affect me.
This attitude of everyone for themselves distroyed bp the shuls , schools and halls that ruin it for everyone else affect the neighbors and the block but
Hey who cares as long as “you” are happy why care about others.
Bp has turned into a horrible ghetto because of those people and it’s too late to stop it. So this is a breath of fresh air that’s all.
Children are sleeping in bathtubs in Boro Park, and a developer wants to make…a bank?! By knocking down a very large home?
A better idea would be construction of a 6 floor mixed use elevator building, with a 6 day bank on the first floor, and 6 family rental units with 4 bedrooms each.
Boro Park doesn’t need anything else but banks and shuls.
Greenfeld is populist he cares for the area like I care for disease
D.G. isn’t G-d, but he really wants to help the community and will work very hard to do that. He is actually trying to get us more housing for families.
Instead of ranting, let’s actually look at the facts of this case and then everyone is free to decide for themselves whether this zoning change should have been allowed:
1 – One Motzai Shabbos a few residents received a letter advising them that a zoning change was proposed and the community board would be voting on Sunday night. – This was illegal because they were supposed to be notified five days in advance, not the day before.
2 – Instead of five people showing up to the meeting – more than 40 residents showed up to protest it. This shows how important this was to them.
3 – The community Board voted unanimously to reject the proposal.
4 – The next evening, there was another hearing before another community board – 30 residents showed up to protest it.
5 – They voted it down unanimously!
6 – At that meeting, Simchah Felder, who was leaving office that week made a point of mentioning this case and pointing out that the residents were treated very unfairly and no attempt was made to see how they’d be harmed or to allow them a voice in this decision.
7 – The board voted it down unanimously but suggested that residents meet with the developer to see if it can be worked out.
TBC
8 – The residents agreed to meet with the developer who spent an hour trying to convince them that he’s a saint and that it’s wrong to oppose him because he’ll lose money.
9 – He promised that if the residents would find him a buyer, he’d sell it at a slight loss.
10 – The residents found him TWO buyers but he wouldn’t even sit down to talk to them.
11 – The City Planning Commission held a hearing in Downtown Brooklyn and this time 7 residents showed up to protest.
Developer submitted about 75 letters of support – NONE from the residents of 48 st. All residents were opposed to the zoning change.
12 – City Planning Commission proposed to allow the zoning change but insisted that parking accommodations should be made. Note – they don’t live or work in BP so have no idea of the actual conditions of the zoning change
13 – The issue went back to the Community Council and upon the recomendation of David G. it was rejected.
This was done after David spoke to many residents and to the developer numerous times. He got involved on a very personal level and continuously told the residents that he will not promise support until he is convinced that they have a real case against the change.
14 – Judging by the way David G fought it, he had good reason to do so. He came to the block, saw why it was being opposed, heard about how the residents had gone out of their way to try to offset the losses of the developer, and was convinced that this was a bad idea.
15 – None of this even touches upon the threats, attempts at intimidation, or harassment that the residents experienced at the hands of the developer and his friends. There was lots of that to go around too.
“How do I know all this,” you ask? I have followed this case from the start. It incenses me to see people comment on a matter that they know nothing about. Responsible people studied this issue for hours before arriving at a decision, aware that there was a lot at stake for all sides.
Currently this is a very nice block with very limited parking. Whether a bank, an assisted living facility or anything else, it will be greatly affected by this zoning change which will not only affect the corner house, but three houses of the the corner. That means that meters will soon be installed on the block, those houses will also be developed and a nice block block will become an impossible living situation for all.