Clinton Hill residents oppose the construction of a 101-foot high building, future home to a new high school, fearing the congestion caused by the influx of teachers, students and parents
Today, Clinton Hill residents filed more than 250 letters of objection to the Board of Standards and Appeals to block the approval of a 101-foot high building on a lot that, as they argue, is already overbuilt. The developer plans, once the project is completed, to rent the building to the Unity Preparatory Charter School which currently occupies spaces in Bedford Stuyvesant and Brownsville. Residents fear the school will cause congestion from the influx of teachers, students and parents.
"This is overdevelopment," said Chas Brak, a tenant at 15 Quincy Street which is located on the same lot as the proposed development. "The windows in my apartment are all rear-facing over the parking lot. If a megadevelopment is built there, my view and light will be blocked. Plus, the construction will pollute my home and air."
Last Monday, more than 70 residents gathered to sign a petition and fill out forms to have their opposition filed. The residents say their grievance is not with the charter school, but with the process that excluded community input and development that is inconsistent with the natural character of the neighborhood.
The lot currently houses a below market-rate 48-unit-building that stands at 55 feet. The proposed development would be double in size to its backdoor neighbor on Quincy Street. Residents also argue that with a high school that is projected to have over 400 students in the center of their small street, the influx of teachers, students and parents will create undue congestion.
"We welcome a new school in our community but not at the expense of our health, views or the historical character of the neighborhood," said Brak. "The development in our neighborhood is at capacity."
The Board of Standards and Appeals, an integral part of the city's system for regulation of land use, is scheduled to consider the developer's application of exemption on Tuesday, November 14 - and residents are planning to show up and have their voices heard.
