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Councilman Bill DeBlasio will support a controversial, mixed-income housing development along the fetid Gowanus Canal — the latest indication that the project is steamrolling towards approval.
DeBlasio told The Brooklyn Paper on Tuesday that he supports Toll Brothers’ 447-unit mixed-income complex — which has already been rubber-stamped by Community Board 6, Borough President Markowitz and the Department of City Planning — “because it creates permanent affordable housing, open green space and substantial increase in parking.”
DeBlasio’s support is crucial as the plan enters its final public review before the City Council, which was set to hold a hearing today. Councilmembers tend to defer to the local lawmaker on land-use issues.
Technically speaking, the issue before the Council is a rezoning of the current manufacturing-zoned site bounded by Carroll, Second and Bond streets and the canal.
Despite approvals by various boards and lawmakers, the project has run into opposition from neighbors who object to the inclusion of 12-story apartment towers on the canal’s western bank.
Other foes said the polluted waterway is no place for homes.
Also, Community Board 6 later conditioned its approval on a firm commitment from the developer on the affordable housing component.
©2009 Community Newspaper Group
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