City Planning Commission indicated at its review session that it would disapprove proposed mid-block extension of commercial overlay. On February 24, 2010 the City Planning Commission announced that DJL Family Partnership withdrew its proposal to extend a C1-5 commercial overlay within an R7-2 district along the east side of Sullivan Street between Spring and Broome Streets. DJL planned to demolish a one-story, mid-block building occupied by two commercial businesses at 73- 75 Sullivan Street, in order to construct a five-story residential building with ground floor commercial space. Without extending the commercial overlay, DJL would not be permitted to use the new building’s ground floor for commercial use.
At the Commission’s January 6 hearing, residents and a representative of Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer spoke in opposition. Anthony Borelli, Land Use Director for Stringer’s office, claimed that extending commercial overlay into the mid-block portion of a residential block would be atypical for the neighborhood. Borelli said Borough President Stringer was concerned the rezoning would set a precedent for other residentially-zoned mid-blocks. Manhattan Community Board 2 submitted a letter claiming that the proposed building’s ground floor would be twice as wide as the block’s other buildings and would permit a commercial use too large for the area. The board pointed out that DJL would not agree to restrict eating and drinking establishments from possible commercial tenants. 7 CityLand 7 (Feb. 24, 2010).
At the Commission’s February 8 review session, Chair Amanda Burden noted that she and several Commissioners had visited the rezoning area. Burden pointed out that the street’s existing character matched Sullivan Street’s other mid-block portions that were predominately residential with small retail areas. She said the rezoning would facilitate at least 3,000 sq.ft. of retail space, which the Department of City Planning believed would “change the feel and character of the street.” Burden also said the existing R7-2 zoning “reinforces the predominant character of the street.” Commissioner Anna Levin agreed with the Chair’s comments, and Commissioner Angela Battaglia asked if they would be voting to disapprove the rezoning. Burden responded that if the rest of the Commissioners concurred, they would propose not to allow any more retail on the mid-block. The Commission scheduled a vote on the proposal for February 24.
At the February 24 hearing, the Commission’s calendar officer announced that the application had been withdrawn.
CPC: Sullivan Street Rezoning (Feb. 24, 2010).