CB6 Gives Conditional Support To Lightstone Development
At their October 10 board meeting, members of Community Board 6 voted to support the proposed development of a 700-unit residential building at 363-365 Bond Street by Lightstone Group, which hopes to renew a permit issued to an earlier developer – Toll Brothers – in 2009 for a 475-unit building.
However, their support is contingent on a few criteria being met, including (1) a new supplemental Environmental Impact Study, (2) 30 percent affordable units, and (3) a height reduction from 12 to eight stories.
Critics included residents of Friends and Residents Of Greater Gowanus (FROGG), as well as nearby neighbors from Carroll Gardens, who stated concerns about lack of commitment to union employees; and lack of planning for increased demand on sewage, transportation, and schools, especially since the area is a toxic Superfund site and lies in a flood plain. Supporters insisted that these will not be problems and the Superfund designation will ensure safe developments.