Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” program faced major opposition and concerns from community members during last month’s Bronx Community Board 8 (CB8)’s Land Use & Economic Development committee meeting.

 

According to the Adams administration, the “City of Yes” program comprises three strands, instigated by the mayor in efforts to boost small businesses, create more affordable housing, and promote sustainability.

 

The “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” initiative is part of the first strand and aims to create more flexible zoning regulations for small businesses. Discussion during the meeting raised numerous concerns from board members and the public alike.

 

“I have questions, not opposition, questions,” said committee chair, Charles Moerdler during the Jan. 4 meeting. “There’s no question in my mind that it’s a damn good idea to update use rules as to what you can use property for, make it possible for businesses to open up in neighborhoods with similar zoning.” He added, in part, “I’m not sure that the proposals that have been advanced do that in any significant way that is positive or negative.”

 

The “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” initiative consists of 18 changes that include enabling commercial activity on upper floors of buildings, and simplifying rules on the types of businesses that can be located on commercial streets. Some residents raised concerns that developers would use the changes to take advantage of the community.

 

Local resident Efrain Gonzalez said, “I just don’t see it working and I think this is just a way for developers to come in and get what they want, and then the communities all over The Bronx are going to suffer because it’s not going to be community-based, and that’s the big, troubling thing that I see. One size does not fit all.”

 

For his part, a fellow resident, Robert Fanuzzi, said, “I see this as, absent the documentation of a real economic need and opportunity, as a cookie cutter approach that will change neighborhood character in search of something called flexibility, and flexibility by the way, is not a job.”

 

The committee agreed to table the vote on the program at CB8’s full board meeting, which took place on Jan. 9. The full board later voted to reject the proposed changes, citing concerns with “noise, traffic, sanitation and general health, welfare and safety of residents.”

 

Additionally, during the committee meeting, the committee listened to a special building permit renewal application relating to the Hebrew Home for the Aged, located at 5901 Palisade Avenue in North Riverdale. The committee heard that the permit was originally granted in 2018.

 

Some proposed changes to the permit were presented, including the removal of the GoldFine building to accommodate new independent living units, and a new site layout that will allow for two rows of vehicles, while still maintaining adequate traffic circulation through the north entrance. No decision was taken by the committee finally during the meeting on the special permit renewal.

 

There was also a discussion over the removal of tennis courts on the grounds of the home in favor of the installation of pickleball courts. Some residents shared concerns over the possible noise this would, in their opinion, emit. Sound experts estimate pickleball to be in the 70 decibel range and about twice as noisy as tennis.

 

Anne Shamoon, another local resident, said, “More noise from pickleball, lights on the pickleball court; all of that would be a real diminishment of this neighborhood and that’s what we’re concerned about.”

 

An update was also provided on the construction of an 18-story apartment development at 3745 Riverdale Avenue in Riverdale. It was mentioned that the construction was due to be completed by the end of January.

 

There was also a discussion on multiple redevelopment projects taking place at 69 Stevenson Place, 71 Stevenson Place, 3862 Sedgwick Avenue, and 3874 Sedgwick Avenue, all in Van Cortland Village. Concerns were raised that these buildings were being redeveloped to increase the number of apartments in the building, with no plans to extend the building’s size.

 

“I don’t see how within the bulk of an existing building you can now have twice as many apartments unless the rooms become a rabbit warren,” said Moerdler. The committee chair said the board would send a letter to NYC Department of Buildings requesting that no permits or applications be approved at the Van Cortlandt Village buildings before first notifying the CB8 committee.

 

Similarly, some members of Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) had also raised some concerns about the City of Yes rezoning amendments when they were presented to the CB7 Land Use committee last October, though it was generally acknowledged that the existing zoning rules were outdated, and due a revision. Representatives from NYC Department of Planning (DCP) gave a presentation on the amendments, noted questions, and returned at the CB7 November board meeting with responses to the various points raised.

 

At that November CB7 board meeting, land use chair Sandra Erickson tabled the motion to send a letter of support to DCP in favor of the proposed amendments. Some members expressed concerns about how the changes would affect small businesses with limited resources, and suggested there was a general lack of awareness by the public about the proposed changes. The board ultimately voted in favor of the motion, though it was not unanimous.

 

The CB8 Land Use & Economic Development committee met again on Monday, Feb 5. We will share further updates in due course. The next Bronx CB7 Land Use committee meeting takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6.30 p.m. Email kcabreracarrera@cb.nyc.gov to be added to the meeting distribution list.

 

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is accepting applications from residents who may wish to join their local community board. See attached flier for more information.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.