Judge Halts Start Of Public Review Process For Gowanus Rezoning Plan Pending Hearing
arrow The Gowanus Canal rests in a neighborhood the city looks to rezone. Nathan Kensinger / Gothamist
A Brooklyn State Supreme Court judge has ordered the city to hold off on starting the public review process for the long-planned and complex Gowanus rezoning, which is expected to create thousands of affordable housing units by 2035.
The public review phase was supposed to start January 19th, until Judge Donald S. Kurtz issued a temporary restraining order Friday to stop it pending a hearing on January 27th. The city had planned to conduct the review phase, known as the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, virtually, given concerns over the pandemic. This worried community activists who felt it would restrict Brooklynites without internet access from voicing concerns.