Atlantic Avenue rezoning approved by City Planning Commission

A plan to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and open space along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn is one step closer to becoming reality. The City Planning Commission (CPC) on Wednesday voted to approve the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a rezoning that could bring 4,600 new homes, 1,440 of which would be permanently affordable, 2,800 permanent jobs, and various public realm enhancements to a 21-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue. The plan now moves to the City Council for a final vote.

The plan includes a stretch of Atlantic Avenue and neighboring streets in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy between Vanderbilt Avenue and Nostrand Avenue. Since the 1960s, this area has been zoned for one-to-two industrial buildings and storage and does not allow for new housing, as 6sqft previously reported.

The plan proposes high-density housing, including permanently income-restricted and rent-stabilized affordable units, as well as a mix of commercial uses to create “active ground floors.”

Under the rezoning, the area could transform from primarily vacant lots, self-storage facilities, and auto shops into a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and manufacturing uses.

“Atlantic Avenue has been held back by outdated zoning for far too long. A central corridor like this should be a vibrant place for residents and workers alike, and that’s exactly what this plan will achieve,” Department of City Planning Director and CPC Chair Garodnick said.

“With today’s vote, this Brooklyn community is one step closer to getting affordable homes, jobs, and infrastructure improvements it needs. Thanks to the City Planning Commissioners for their support.”

The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development is also working on developing an additional 380 permanently affordable homes on city- and nonprofit-owned sites across the zoning area. These include an affordable senior housing development at 542 Dean Street and 116 deeply affordable homes, along with a community garden, at 516 Bergen Street.

Alongside the new housing, the rezoning includes significant investments in creating safer streets and enhancing the public realm. To improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has committed to creating painted “neckdowns,” which are raised curb extensions that narrow travel lanes, daylighting for better visibility at intersections, planters, bike corrals along medians, and a new bike lane on Bedford Avenue.

The rezoning also includes $24.2 million in upgrades to St. Andrew’s Playground. These enhancements include a new, synthetic turf multi-use field with a running track, upgraded basketball and handball courts, renovated playgrounds, a remodeled public restroom, new seating, shade trees, plantings, and other green infrastructure.

Lowry Triangle, situated near Atlantic Avenue and Washington Avenue, will also be upgraded to serve as a more vibrant community space.

Other features of the plan include a zoning incentive for new publicly accessible open space and stormwater and sewage upgrades that are already underway. This includes the installation of subsurface stormwater detention systems and 140 rain gardens throughout the neighborhood.

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan builds on community-driven planning efforts initiated by local leaders and Brooklyn Community Board 8 in 2013. That September, the Department of City Planning released a preliminary rezoning framework, which saw potential for up to 1,550 income-restricted homes.

In October, the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan entered the seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which included approvals from Community Boards 3 and 8, as well as Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

“With today’s vote, we come one step closer to turning the ambitious Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan from a proposal into reality,” Adams said.

“The plan is a powerful reminder that government is still capable of delivering visionary and vital projects. This community-led proposal will build more affordable housing, create more jobs, and bring more public spaces for working-class families to live, play, and thrive.”

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