In Depth: Zoning regulations in Brooklyn

New buildings are popping up all over Brooklyn leaving many residents concerned about the future of their neighborhoods. In this In Depth report, News 12 Brooklyn's Elizabeth Gould looks at how important

News 12 Staff

Jan 27, 2006, 11:55 PM

Updated 6,832 days ago

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New buildings are popping up all over Brooklyn leaving many residents concerned about the future of their neighborhoods. In this In Depth report, News 12 Brooklyn's Elizabeth Gould looks at how important zoning has become to so many residents.
The influx of new buildings has led to an unprecedented construction boom in Brooklyn. Buildings are also being sold to developers who then come in and build bigger and better developments. And that's where zoning becomes crucial. The Department of City Planning decides what types of dwellings can be built on particular plots throughout the borough. Under the current code, developers are allowed to build a tall structure, which has many residents concerned.
Residents have approached their community boards in an effort to get the planning commission to reduce building heights, which is known as downzoning. To date, six neighborhoods have been rezoned and three more are in the process of doing the same. Now, developers are racing against time so that their new buildings can be grandfathered in under the old zoning laws.