{"id":1787,"date":"2019-08-01T18:00:42","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T18:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1787"},"modified":"2019-08-02T14:38:09","modified_gmt":"2019-08-02T14:38:09","slug":"statements-from-speaker-johnson-borough-president-brewer-and-council-member-chin-on-two-bridges-lawsuit-ruling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2019\/08\/01\/1787\/","title":{"rendered":"Statements from Speaker Johnson, Borough President Brewer, and Council Member Chin on Two Bridges Lawsuit Ruling"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Judge Arthur Engoron on Thursday ruled
\nin favor of New York City Council and Manhattan Borough President Gale A.
\nBrewer in their lawsuit contending that the proposed mega tower developments in
\nthe Two Bridges neighborhood must go through the public review process.<\/p>\n

\nIn 2016, the Department of City Planning contended in a \u2018staff level
\ndetermination’ that the proposed projects for the Two Bridges site, which would
\nsoar over the current low-rise neighborhood as tall as 80 stories–are merely
\n“minor modifications” to the existing large scale residential
\ndevelopment and do not require a ULURP approval process.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit brought by Brewer and the City Council argued
\nthat the “minor modification” analysis is simply nonsense and that
\nthese projects effectively rewrite the Special Permits granted in the area, and
\ndemanded that these projects go through public review.<\/p>\n

The court found \u201c(t)he irreparable harm here is two-fold.
\nFirst, a community will be drastically altered without having had its proper
\nsay. Second, and arguably more important, allowing this project to proceed
\nwithout the City Council\u2019s imprimatur would distort the City\u2019s carefully
\ncrafted system of checks and balances. Under ULURP, the City Council\u2019s
\nmandatory role is not merely to advise, but to grant or deny final approval
\n(with the Mayor). Without ULURP, the City\u2019s legislature is cut out of the
\npicture entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Council has for years said this project \u2013 which would
\ntotally transform the Two Bridges neighborhood – requires public review and
\nultimately City Council approval,\u201d said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. \u201cWe\u2019re
\nvery grateful that the State Supreme Court agreed and that the community, the
\nBorough President, and the City Council will have an opportunity to provide
\nreal input and help shape the future of this neighborhood.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI’m so gratified that Judge Engoron has ruled in our favor,
\nand that the Two Bridges developments\u2014which will have a ‘huge’ impact on the
\nneighborhood\u2014must undergo the ULURP process. I’m grateful that Council member
\nChin and Speaker Johnson came together to support our suit and we were
\nsuccessful,\u201d said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.<\/p>\n

\u201cJudge Engoron\u2019s ruling is a victory for the Two Bridges community
\nand demonstrates the power of every day New Yorkers when they come together and
\nfight,\u201d said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. \u201cFor three years, we have rallied
\nand petitioned. As a final step, we sued the City to trigger the public review
\nprocess that the proposed mega towers in Two Bridges demanded. Through it all,
\nI was motivated by a single goal\u2014ensuring that the residents of Two Bridges
\nhave a say in the future of their neighborhood. Judge Engoron\u2019s decision
\nvindicates our efforts and, just as importantly, empowers the voices of those
\nmost impacted by the displacement and gentrification of the proposed mega
\ntowers. I want to thank Speaker Johnson for his inclusive and courageous
\nleadership and Borough President Brewer for her invaluable partnership.
\nFinally, I want to extend my gratitude to the Two Bridges community for their
\nsteadfast commitment to the public review process.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Judge Arthur Engoron on Thursday ruled
\nin favor of New York City Council and Manhattan Borough President Gale A.
\nBrewer in their lawsuit contending that the proposed mega tower developments in
\nthe Two Bridges neighborhood must go through the public review process.<\/p>\n

\nIn 2016, the Department of City Planning contended in a \u2018staff level
\ndetermination’<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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