T H E C I T Y O F N E W Y O R KM A N H A T T A N C O M M U N I T Y B O A R D 359 Ea s t 4 th S t r ee t - New York , NY 10003 Phone ( 212) 533-5300 - Fax ( 212) 533 -3659 www.cb3manhat tan .org - i n fo@cb3manhat tan .org

Gigi Li, Board Chair Susan Stetzer, District Manager

May 29, 2015

Carl Weisbrod Director Department of City Planning 22 Reade Street 2N New York, NY 10007

Dear Director Weisbrod:

We write to you today in response to your February 4 letter. Thank you for your thoughtful review of the Chinatown Working Groups comprehensive proposal for a Special Chinatown and Lower East River District. As you noted, over 60 community-based organizations collaboratively worked to develop this plan over a period of many years. We appreciate your recognition of our desire to preserve the unique character of Chinatown and surrounding communities as well as the essential need to both preserve and develop affordable housing.

We recognize that the comprehensive plan in totality is vast in both scope and reach. We also share your desire to discuss how we can work together to identify targeted areas where we can advance shared goals and priorities. In particular, we have identified three specific Subdistricts; Subdistricts A, B and D. These are outlined on the attached plan document, Proposed Zoning Districts, from the CWGs planning consultant.

The position weve taken on Subdistrict A would address the preservation of the mixed-use character of the Chinatown core while almost doubling the amount of housing that can be built currently. Our vote on Subdistrict B would ensure any additional development on large scale NYCHA properties would not displace residents, but we do understand the need to look at options for development, with meaningful community input. CB 3 has not yet taken a position on Subdistrict D, the East River waterfront, but recognize the potential of this area and will with work with you to explore how a rezoning could address both affordable housing development and the communitys concerns.

It is our belief these target areas provide the most prudent starting point to engage in discussions with the Department of City Planning. Importantly, they also have the greatest potential for maximizing preservation and development of affordable housing while ensuring we sustain and support the unique character that defines our community.

Community Board 3 has a track record of success in driving consensus and working with the City to produce equitable plans that include transformative development, as was the case with the redevelopment of the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area. We stand ready to work with you and your staff to advance the Mayors vision for making New York, and in particular Chinatown and the Lower East Side, equitable, lively and growing communities for years to come.

Sincerely,

Gigi Li Chair Community Board 3

Cc: Edith Hsu-Chin, Department of City Planning Joel Kolkmann, Department of City Planning Persephone Tan, Office of New York City Council Member Margaret Chin Matt Viggiano, Office of New York City Council Member Rosie Mendez

T H E C I T Y O F N E W Y O R K

M A N H A T T A N C O M M U N I T Y B O A R D 3 59 Ea s t 4 th S t ree t - New York , NY 10003

Phone (212) 533 -5300 - Fax ( 212) 533 -3659

www.cb3manhat tan .org - i n fo@cb3manhat tan .org

Gigi Li, Board Chair Susan Stetzer, District Manager

April 2, 2014

Hon. Carl Weisbrod, Director

Department of City Planning

22 Reade Street

New York, NY 10007

Dear Director Weisbrod:

At its March 2014 monthly meeting, Community Board 3 passed the following resolution:

VOTE: Community Board 3 Resolution Regarding the Chinatown Working Group

(CWG) Plan for SubDistrict A (the Chinatown Preservation Area)

Whereas, Manhattan's Chinatown and its surrounding areas are among the oldest

immigrant neighborhoods in New York City, housing successive groups of immigrants

from Ireland, Germany, China, Italy, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, starting

in the early 1800s; and

Whereas, these diverse immigrant neighborhoods, with their historic tenement

buildings, vibrant streetscapes, and affordable housing built for low-income working

class families shed important light on New York City's past but are also a critical

component in the City's future; and

Whereas, most buildings in SubDistrict A are five to nine stories and mixed use

(stores, restaurants, and sometimes light manufacturing uses below; residential and

commercial uses above); and

Whereas, in the absence of height limits, inappropriate developments (such as large

hotels and condos) are beginning to appear within the SubDistrict; and

Whereas, the CWG plan for Chinatown, as it applies to SubDistrict A (the Chinatown

Preservation Area), provides for an 85 foot height limit; and

Whereas, the CWG plan prohibits certain commercial business such as hotels and big

box stores, requires special permits for bars and clubs, and limits the size of most stores

and businesses to 2,500 square feet; and

Whereas, the CWG plans to add "G" designation to commercial and manufacturing

zoning districts in SubDistrict A, which will protect existing commercial and

manufacturing uses within the district and allows new compatible manufacturing uses;

so

Therefore be it resolved, Community Board 3 supports the CWG SubDistrict A plan

for purposes of casting our vote as members of the CWG with the following caveats:

Community Board 3 does not support the proposal to allow significant buildings within the preservation area to transfer their air rights to developments outside

SubDistrict A.

While Community Board 3 generally supports the option, it seeks clarification of proposed Zoning "Option 1" regarding allowable FAR.

Be it further resolved, Community Board 3 will review the final, complete CWG plan

when it has been agreed to by the CWG.

If you have any questions, please contact the community board office.

Sincerely,

Gigi Li, Chair Linda Jones, Chair

Community Board 3 Land Use, Zoning, Public and Private Housing Committee

Cc: Edith Hsu-Chin, Department of City Planning

Joel Kolkmann, Department of City Planning

Matthew Viggiano, Office of Council Member Margaret Chin

T H E C I T Y O F N E W Y O R K

M A N H A T T A N C O M M U N I T Y B O A R D 3 59 Ea s t 4 th S t ree t - New York , NY 10003

Phone (212) 533 -5300 - Fax ( 212) 533 -3659

www.cb3manhat tan .org - i n fo@cb3manhat tan .org

Gigi Li, Board Chair Susan Stetzer, District Manager

February 4, 2015

Mr. Wilson Soo, Co-Chair

Mr. Antony Wong, Co-Chair

Chinatown Working Group

c/o Community Board #1 Manhattan

49-51 Chambers St., Rm 715

New York, New York 10007

Dear Mr. Soo and Mr. Wong,

At its January 2015 monthly meeting, Community Board 3 passed the following resolution:

VOTE: Community Board 3 Resolution Regarding the Chinatown Working Group (CWG) Plan

for Sub-District B (Community Preservation and Resilience Area) and other NYCHA Properties

WHEREAS, Subdistrict B is characterized as a Planned Community Preservation and Resilience

Area, consisting of large planned housing developments constructed for low and moderate

income New Yorkers along the lower East River in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s; and

WHEREAS, the NYCHA housing developments are built in a unique "tower in the park"

architectural style, characterized by large-scale site plans with significant open space and internal

pedestrian walkways; and

WHEREAS, the Land Use & Housing Committee reviewed the CWG proposal as written, and

proposed revised language which was memorialized by the Committee; and

WHEREAS, the revised proposal insures that in each large-scale planned community

development in Subdistrict B, any new development, demolition or enlargements in the Sub-

District would require a Special Permit (ULURP) based on the findings summarized below:

1) Any new development, demolition or enlargements must be at rents affordable to that specific large-scale planned community development and will not reduce the total

number of units and total number of legal occupants;

2) New development or enlargements in the specific large-scale planned community development must relate to the existing buildings or other structures in all manner of

scale and design and will not seriously alter the scenic amenity and the environmental

quality of that large-scale planned community development, or in the alternative, must

include alternative amenities or quality factors approved as part of the plan.

3) New development or enlargements must maximize Climate Change resilience and adaptation measures relating to built form and permeable surfaces as more specifically

detailed in the proposal approved by the Committee, and be sited so as to preserve the

greatest amount of open space and landscaping that presently exists in the specific large-

scale planned community development in Subdistrict B so as to potentially accommodate

water detention green infrastructure and retention tanks. There can be no reduction in

open space within that specific large-scale planned community development in

Subdistrict B unless adequate alternative space is provided in that development with the

exception of parking areas which can either be placed below or above grade level in any

new development;

4) It has been certified that no tenant harassment, denial of services or unnecessary demolition has occurred;

5) Any new non-residential use development or enlargement addresses the community facility, services and/or commercial use needs of the specific large scale community

development in which the development or enlargement is proposed and will not displace

existing residential units, commercial businesses or community facilities.

WHEREAS, the current underlying zoning is: R7-2-FAR: C2, R0.87-3.44, CF6.5; and

WHEREAS, the proposed underlying zoning is: Where actual FAR is 2.43 or under: Downzone

to - R6/C2 Modified - FAR: C2, R 0.78-2.43, CF 4.8 and - Where actual FAR is over 2.43: Change to: R7-2/C2 Modified - FAR: C2, R 0.87-3.44, CF6.5

WHEREAS, a key goal of this rezoning proposal is to preserve as a public review process via

ULURP for new development, demolition or enlargements in the Sub-District; so

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, CB 3 supports the Sub-District B rezoning proposal as

updated by the Land Use & Housing Committee at it January 2015 meeting.

Please contact the community board office with any questions.

Sincerely,

Gigi Li, Chair Linda Jones, Chair

Community Board 3 Land Use, Zoning, Public and Private Housing Committee

Cc: Joel Kolkmann, New York City Department of City Planning

Persephone Tan, Office of New York City Council Member Margaret Chin

Area 3

Area 2

Recommendation Area 2: NORTH OF PRESERVATION SUB-DISTRICT A Anti-harassment/anti-demolition certication req. Include as subdistrict A2 of the Chinatown and Lower East River Special District or adopt provisions similar to Preservation Area A

Recommendation Area 1: AMENDMENTS TO SPECIAL LITTLE ITALY DISTRICT Extend 85ft Ht. Limit to other half of Bowery Anti-harassment/anti-demolition certication req. Ammend Little Italy to incorporate provisions from the Chinatown and Lower East River Special District

Area 1

A

C

E2

E1

D

B

F B

Sub-District E1: BOWERY CORRIDOR-GRAND to BLEECKER and Sub-District E2: BOWERY CORRIDOR-BLEECKER to 9th Option 1: Underlying: C6-1G Modied FAR: C 6, R 4.6, CF 6 Ht. Limit: 85ft Guaranteed 20% PAH (with 421a tax abatement) Guaranteed 20% (40% if no 421a) PAH for increase in R FAR from 3.44 to 4.6 E1 Option 2: Underlying and Ht. Limit: Same as Option 1 FAR: C 6, R 3.44-4.6, CF 6.5 Guaranteed 20% PAH (with 421a tax abatement) Bonus to R FAR 4.6 for 20% (40% if no 421a) additional PAH (if accepted as amendment to Special Little Italy District Area C by CB2 & CB3)

Sub-District C: HIGHER DENSITY MIXED USE Option 1: Underlying: C6-2A Modied FAR: C 6, R 7.2, CF 6.5 Ht. Limit: 120ft Guaranteed 20% PAH (w 421a tax abatement) In existing C6-2A: Guaranteed 20% (40% if no 421a) for additional PAH for R increase from FAR 6.02-7.2 In existing M1-5: Guaranteed 30% (50% if no 421a) PAH for rezoning and increase FAR from 5-7.2 Additional 1 FAR TDR from Area A & Bldgs of Signif.

Sub-District A: PRESERVATION AREA Option 1: Underlying: C4-4A/G Modied FAR: C 4, R 4.8-6, CF 4 Ht. Limit: 85ft Guaranteed 20% PAH (w 421a tax abatement) In C6-2 and C6-2G: Guarantee 20% PAH (if no 421a) In C6-1 and R7-2: Additional guaranteed 20% PAH (40% if no 421a) for R increase from FAR 3.44-4.8 OR Additional guaranteed 25% PAH (45% if no 421a) for R increase from FAR 3.44-6 Option 2: Underlying: C6-2G Modied FAR: C 6, R 6, CF 6 Ht. Limit: 85ft Guaranteed 20% PAH (w 421a tax abatement) In existing C6-2 and C6-2G: guaranteed 20% PAH (if no 421a) In existing C6-1 and R7-2: guaranteed 25% PAH (45% if no 421a) for R increase from FAR 3.44 to 6

Sub-District B: PLANNED COMMUNITY PRESERVATION & RESILIENCE AREA Option 1: Map each development as SPCP District overlay requiring special permit and ULURP review Where FAR is 2.43 or under, rezone to R6/C2 Modied Where FAR is over 2.43, retain R7-2/C2 Option 2: Add SPCPD special permit ndings to Subdistrict B Underlying: R6/C2 Modied and R7-2/C2 Modied FAR: C 2, R 0.78-2.43*, CF 4.8 * and C 2, R 0.87-3.44*, CF 6.5* *Require Special Permit to achieve maximum zone FAR

Sub-District D: LOWER EAST RIVER WATERFRONT Option 1: Underlying: C6-4 Modied; map M1-4 and C2-8 as Parkland FAR: C 10, R 10, CF 10 Ht. Limit: 350ft Guaranteed 20% PAH (with 421a) In existing C6-4: Guaranteed 30% (50% if no 421a) In existing M1-6: Guaranteed 35% (55% if no 421a) for rezoning M to C thus allowing residential Additional .5 FAR for culture Additional .5 FAR for TDR from Area A & Bldgs of Signif. Option 2: Underlying, FAR, and Ht: Same as Opt 1 but retain M1-6 Guaranteed 20% PAH (with 421a) In existing C6-4: Guaranteed 30% (50% if no 421a) Additional .5 FAR for culture onsite or contrib. to cultural resources fund Additional .5 FAR for TDR from Area A & Bldgs of Signif.

Proposed Zoning Districtsin the Special Chinatown and Lower East River District

Recommendation Area 3: SEWARD PARK NORTH OF EAST BROADWAY Anti-harassment/anti-demolition certification req.

PAH-Permanent Aordable Housing SPCP District-Special Planned Community Preservation District

Map 6-11 provides a comprehensive overview of all of the recommendations and various options for consideration in each of the Subdistricts of the proposed Chinatown and Lower East River Special District.

117Chapter 6 Special Chinatown And Lower East River District

DCP_CB 3 letter regarding Chinatown working group proposal.pdf59 East 4th Street - New York, NY 10003Phone (212) 533-5300 - Fax (212) 533-3659