Unfortunately, the New York City Planning Commission on Wednesday June 26 approved the Brooklyn Law School's application to violate new 120-foot zoning with a 265-foot dormitory at State Street and Boerum Place.

The Planning Commissioners chose to ignore the zoning law as well as the unified opposition of the Brooklyn Heights Association, Brooklyn Heights Protection Coalition, Cobble Hill Association, Boerum Hill Association, Atlantic Ave. Betterment Association, Community Board 2 (our local board), and the Friends Meeting House, who all oppose the Law School plan.

For those who are unaware, the Brooklyn Heights Protection Coalition, formed by yours truly in 1998 or so to fight construction of the illustrious "argyle sock" (aka the Court Street movie theater), earned for that effort the assistance of the Brooklyn Heights Association and Brooklyn office of the Planning Commission to pass a new zoning law special to downtown Brooklyn in July 2001.

This Special Downtown Brooklyn Zoning District created several blocks of business districts along Livingston and Schermerhorn Streets from Smith east to Flatbush, in which 495-foot buildings may be constructed. In a compromise with the historic district residents of Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill—who objected to the tall new buildings on Court and Montague Streets as well as the new 495-foot height limits, we also obtained a "buffer zone" from Smith west to Court and Livingston South to Atlantic allowing for buildings of no more than 120 feet.

The Law School purchased the site at State and Boerum five years ago after turning down several other properties across Boerum Place and despite the fact that the zoning there was a floor area ratio of six—basically meaning they could construct 6 storeys. The new zoning did not change their floor area ratio. In other words, they bought the property originally, fully planning to violate even the original zoning.

Law School Dean Wexler will no doubt now take her lobbying machine to the City Council, where local Councilman Dennis Yasky has recused himself from the vote, substantially weakening the position of the community in this battle for our neighborhood. The City Council has 60 days to vote on the matter, after which it will go to Mayor Bloomberg. In the face of Yasky's weak-kneed position, we MUST also apply pressure with City Council Land Use Chairman Melinda Katz and Mr. Avella, a subcommittee chair.

Please also ask for help at the City Council from Borough President Markowitz at Marty@BrooklynBP.org, Dennis Yasky at Yassky@council.nyc.ny.us and Mayor Bloomberg (fax) at 212-788-8123; in addition please THANK Representative Joan Millman milmaj@assembly.state.ny.us for her assistance to date and ask her to help us with the City Council.

Many thanks for your kind assistance.

Best regards,
Alyssa A. Lappen
for the Brooklyn Heights Protection Coalition