The Bay Street Corridor is undergoing an exciting transformation, driven by a collaborative vision that puts community voices at the forefront. The Bay Street Corridor Planning Team is spearheading this initiative, working hand-in-hand with local residents and organizations to create a neighborhood plan that reflects the community’s aspirations.
Who is the Bay Street Corridor Planning Team?
This dedicated team is composed of representatives from 11 key City agencies. The Department of City Planning takes the lead, collaborating closely with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The involvement of diverse City agencies ensures a comprehensive approach, bringing together technical expertise and resources to address various aspects of the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan. These agencies are actively involved in gathering community input, addressing questions, and providing specialized knowledge throughout the planning process.
The Role of the Local Advisory Committee
Recognizing the importance of community-led planning, a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) was established early in the process. This committee serves as a crucial link between the Planning Team and the diverse communities within the Bay Street Corridor. The LAC is made up of local stakeholders who act as liaisons, ensuring that the planning process is informed by and responsive to the needs and perspectives of the neighborhood. Meetings with the LAC provide a platform to share updates on the progress of planning efforts and offer an additional avenue for community members to contribute their insights and feedback.
Extensive Community Outreach and Engagement
Public engagement is a cornerstone of the Bay Street Corridor planning process. The Planning Team has demonstrated a strong commitment to community involvement by hosting over eight large-scale workshops and town hall meetings. Beyond these major events, numerous meetings have been held with community groups and individual stakeholders. This extensive outreach effort is designed to ensure that the Neighborhood Plan is truly shaped by public input and reflects the collective vision for the Bay Street Corridor’s future.
Understanding the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)
As the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan progresses, it will undergo a Formal Public Review process known as the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). ULURP is a mandated process under the New York City Charter for certain land use actions requiring City Planning Commission review. This standardized procedure ensures transparency and public accountability as applications affecting land use are carefully examined.
During the ULURP process, Community Boards, Borough Presidents, and the general public are provided with formal opportunities to comment on proposed land use actions and related environmental reviews. The City Planning Commission (CPC) thoroughly considers all written comments and public testimony from hearings before making a decision and voting on the application. If approved by the CPC, the application moves to the City Council, where another public hearing is held before a final City Council vote.
The ULURP process will be applied to several key discretionary actions under consideration for the Bay Street Corridor, including:
- City Map Amendment: This involves rezoning the Bay Street Corridor and a section of Canal Street, along with officially mapping the Special Bay Street Corridor District.
- Zoning Text Amendment: This action aims to create the Special Bay Street Corridor District, tailoring urban design regulations specifically for Bay Street. It also includes amendments to the Special Stapleton Waterfront District, Phase III, to enhance site planning flexibility.
- Disposition of City Owned Property: This may involve decisions regarding the use or development of City-owned land within the Bay Street Corridor.
