NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A local community board on Monday night rejected the de Blasio administration's plan to build thousands of new apartments in SoHo and NoHo as part of a controversial rezoning plan.
Skeptics don't believe the mayor when he says the plan will bring moderate rents to the cobblestone streets of the two neighborhoods.
Andrew Berman, the executive director of the advocacy group Village Preservation, says the plan does not guarantee a single unit of affordable housing.
"It will allow developers to build huge buildings that are full of high-end office space and hotels, NYU dorms, big box retail stores and luxury condos and rentals," Berman said.
Community Board 2 rejected the rezoning plan in an advisory vote Monday night, and although it still must be considered by the City Council, Berman says the candidate who just won the seat opposes.
Vocal opponents of the plan view the proposal as a landgrab by wealthy developers that will bulldoze rent-stabilized artist lofts and mom and pop shops.
"The approach of the plan which is to basically destroy the neighborhood and replace it huge new developments that doesn't guarantee any affordable housing is not the right approach," Berman said. "And if we really want to address affordability issues in SoHo and NoHo, this is the wrong way to do it."
The mayor remains bullish on the plan, saying many elected leaders support it.
Hearings and a vote by the City Planning Commission and the City Council will ultimately decide the outcome.
