One Brooklyn
March 11, 2016
IN RESPONSE TO LAND USE APPLICATION TO REDEVELOP 139-141 CONOVER STREET, BOROUGH PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDING SIZE, TRAFFIC IMPACT, RESILIENCY MEASURES, AFFORDABILITY OF POTENTIAL RELATED RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION IN FORT GREENE
BROOKLYN, NY, March 11, 2016: On Tuesday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams submitted a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) recommendation to disapprove with conditions of an application submitted by Conover King Reality, LLC to rezone part of Red Hook in order to facilitate development of a seven- to eight-story skilled nursing home and ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility, operated by Oxford Nursing Home Inc. (Oxford), at 139-141 Conover Street. The response was issued following dialogue with local stakeholders and community activists, including a public hearing he held in the courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Tuesday, December 22nd. Borough President Adams expressed concerns about a number of components related to the proposed project as it currently stands, including the building height and bulk, local impact on traffic, as well as the affordability of any residential conversion that may occur at Oxford’s existing location in Fort Greene. Additionally, his recommendations addressed the desire for advancing resiliency and sustainability measures at the site as well as for retaining Brooklyn-based contractors and subcontractors, especially those that are designated locally-based enterprises (LBEs) and minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs).
“While I appreciate Oxford’s interest in bringing improved health care services to our borough, particularly our senior population, I have concerns about the proposal that they have submitted for review pertaining to new development in Red Hook,” said Borough President Adams. “Where we have a voice in the land use process, we should use it to encourage community development that is considerate of local context and neighborhood needs. It is my hope that these recommendations will serve as a good guide for this project’s stakeholders on whatever course it is to take going forward.”
Recognizing the existing neighborhood character, particularly the low-density housing along Sullivan Street, Borough President Adams called for the project to shrink its proposed building height and bulk to respect contextual development. Additionally, while understanding the challenges of securing alternate sites in Brooklyn’s current real estate market, he expressed his belief that Oxford be relocated to a site not subject to the possibility of a coastal storm surge evacuation. With this in mind, Borough President Adams noted it would be more appropriate to govern any type of development at the site in question according to R6A standards, which limits buildings to a height of 70 feet, along Conover and King streets and by R6B standards, which limits buildings to a height of 50 feet, along Sullivan Street.
Due to a considerable amount of trucks and ambulettes travelling to the proposed entrance for a parking facility and loading area on Sullivan Street as well as to the proposed ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility on Conover Street, both of which would flow through residential Wolcott Street, Borough President Adams advised that several project alterations be made to address concerns about potentially increased traffic. Recommendations included moving the parking facility and loading area entrances to King Street, along with related direction signage, as well as excluding the ambulatory diagnostic and treatment facility.
Should the proposal advance, Borough President Adams asked for affirmation of Oxford’s intent to incorporate resiliency and sustainability measures at the site such as the collection of stormwater to reduce combined sewer overflows, as well as the incorporation of solar panels and green roofs to improve energy efficiency and performance. He also sought assurances of a commitment to coordinate local hiring efforts with area service providers and community-based organizations. Additionally, Borough President Adams stated his belief that at least 25 percent of any residential floor area developed due to a conversion of Oxford’s Fort Greene location be designated for affordable housing.
Borough President Adams’ recommendations, which can be accessed online by visiting brooklyn-usa.org/ulurp, will be considered by the City Planning Commission (CPC) as part of their public meeting on Wednesday, March 30th.
-30-
