Rezonings extend protection of contextual zoning and low-density regulations. The Planning Commission approved amendments to the zoning maps in three Bronx neighborhoods to ensure that residential buildings are not out-of-character with low-density development in the neighborhoods.
In Baychester, five of the five and a half blocks located immediately south of Co-op City are currently zoned R3-2 and permit detached, semi-detached and attached homes with a maximum building height of 35 feet. The remaining half block, currently zoned R6, permits residential and community facilities, and has apartment buildings between three and twelve stories high. Under the proposed rezoning, both areas would be zoned R3A, permitting only detached single- and two-family homes with a maximum height of 35 feet.
In Woodlawn, the area covered by the proposed action is made up of 934 lots south of the New York- Yonkers City Line and consists mostly of low-density residential blocks zoned R4-1 and R5. The proposed zoning would replace the existing districts with R4A and R5B districts that would preserve the existing neighborhood character with lower density contextual zoning districts.
In Ferry Point, the area covered by the proposed action consists of three full blocks on Brush Avenue west of the Hutchinson River Parkway. The current R4 zoning would be changed to R4A, permitting only detached single- and two-family residences and prohibiting small apartment buildings which were permitted under the existing zoning.
ULURP Process: The Planning Commission as lead agency issued a negative declaration for the Baychester rezoning on June 6, 2004 and for Woodlawn and Ferry Point on September 12, 2005. On October 11, 2005, Bronx Community Board 10 approved the Baychester and Ferry Point rezonings. On that same day, Bronx Community Board 12 approved the Woodlawn rezoning. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. approved all three applications in November 2005.
At a December 7, 2005 Commission public hearing, a representative for Borough President Carrión Jr. spoke in support of all three rezonings. The Chair of Community Board 12, Father Richard Gorman, spoke in support, stating that the replacement of homes with boxy apartment buildings, “robs the community of its soul.” The Commission unanimously approved the three applications. Review is pending at City Council.
CPC: Baychester Rezoning (C 060108 ZMR – map amendment) (January 11, 2006); Woodlawn Rezoning (C 060108 ZMR – map amendment) (January 11, 2006); Brush Avenue Rezoning (C 060108 ZMR – map amendment) (January 11, 2006). CITYADMIN