In June, the Department of City Planning released guidelines for rezoning the Gowanus Canal area. While these proposed rules mentioned green spaces and affordable housing, they didn’t mention the density levels that the city would allow along the canal.
The issue is far from settled, as several developers are lobbying for the right to construct larger buildings than are currently allowed, according to Curbed. These developers are concerned that the city’s plans might not allow enough density to offset the cost of erecting new buildings on canal-area sites, Crain’s reported.
The city has said that it wants buildings of moderate scale, or about eight to 10 stories in height, along the canal, Curbed reported. The city, in its guidelines, also suggested requiring developers of land along the canal to pay for a 40-foot-wide public promenade and to install systems that prevent untreated waste from overflowing into the canal during storms.
When contacted by Curbed, Monadnock Development, one of the builders involved, declined to comment, while the others – Property Markets Group, All Year Management and the Domain Companies – didn’t reply to the question.
