Two Bridges: Minor Modification or Major Mistake?

August 7, 2018

The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) has been tracking recent land use actions governing development in the Two Bridges neighborhood in Manhattan. The current Two Bridges Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD) Proposal, now under consideration by the City Planning Commission (CPC), would result in over 2.5 million gross square feet of development including over 2,500 new dwelling units within three high-rise buildings. It is clear that the scale of the development will permanently change the Two Bridges neighborhood and the city’s skyline (see images below).

Understandably, the LSRD proposal has triggered a heated debate about the City’s land use decision-making process, the role of community-based planning, and how to foster effective public input in major land use decisions.

Given the importance of the development, MAS has explored the background behind the Two Bridges LSRD, and the planning and land use issues currently in play. We also provide photosimulations of how the proposed developments will look if allowed to move forward.

  • rendering of Manhattan skyline with proposed Two Bridges towers
    Photosimulation looking from the East River showing proposed developments at Two Bridges. Based on DEIS CEQR No. 17DCP148M ©Google Street Image. Modified by MAS.
    photo 1 of 2
  • rendering of Lower East Side with proposed Two Bridges development
    Renderings of proposed developments at Two Bridges showing neighboring buildings to the west. Based on DEIS CEQR No. 17DCP148M ©New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications. Modified by MAS.
    photo 2 of 2

Where is Two Bridges?

Two Bridges is a neighborhood on Manhattan’s Lower East Side bounded by the Brooklyn Bridge to the west and Montgomery Street to the east, and includes the Manhattan Bridge. In land use terms, the name refers to the former Two Bridges Urban Renewal Area (TBURA), which was designated by the City in 1961, and is now referred to as the Two Bridges Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD). The Two Bridges LSRD is a five-block area bounded by Cherry Street to the north, South Street to the south, Montgomery Street to the east, and Market Street to the west.

What is a Large-Scale Residential Development?

LSRDs are developments that involve several zoning lots that are planned together as a unit. LSRDs are subject to regulations in the NYC Zoning Resolution that govern use, bulk, parking, and other applicable rules. They are also subject to special provisions that are designed to allow for greater site planning flexibility and to achieve more efficient use of scarce land.

An LSRD can only be approved if the CPC finds that the redistribution of bulk and open space on a particular site will result in a better site plan and have a better relationship among buildings and open areas with the neighborhood than would be possible without modifying the underlying zoning. Substantial updates or changes to an LSRD, defined as either minor or major modifications, must be approved by the CPC, which must consider whether the changes require waivers or zoning actions not included in any previous approvals.

There are three mechanisms used to make changes to an LSRD: authorizations, certifications, and Special Permits. Authorizations and Special Permits are discretionary actions subject to the City Environmental Quality Review process (CEQR). However, unlike Special Permits, authorizations and certifications are not subject to Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) review, and the CPC does not hold any public hearings, although it generally refers applications to the appropriate community board(s) for comment.

In the case of the Two Bridges LSRD application, three developers seek modifications to the existing site plan regarding height and setback rules and minimum distance between buildings requirements to allow for the construction of the high-density towers on the former TBURA.

What is the current Two Bridges Proposal?

Approval of the Two Bridges LSRD applications would allow three new mixed-use high-rise buildings, a 1,008-foot rental tower at 247 Cherry Street (JDS Development Group), a 798-foot dual-tower project at 260 South Street (L+M Development Partners and CIM Group), and a 730-foot building at 259 Clinton Street (Starrett Corporation). Together, the three buildings would bring over 2.5 million gross square feet of total development including 2,775 new residential units to the area. This would permanently alter the Two Bridges neighborhood and the East River skyline.

To illustrate how the proposed developments would look upon completion, MAS created 3D photosimulations, shown below, using project drawings and information submitted for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

  • rendering of the proposed Two Bridges towers, as seen from street level
    Proposed developments at Two Bridges neighborhood. Based on DEIS CEQR No. 17DCP148M ©2018 Google Earth Image Landsat/ Copernicus and SHoP Architects. Modified by MAS.
    photo 1 of 4
  • map of area surrounding Two Bridges proposed development
    Proposed developments at Two Bridges neighborhood. Based on DEIS CEQR No. 17DCP148M ©2014 New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications. Modified by MAS
    photo 2 of 4
  • maps shows shadows from proposed Two Bridges development on September 21 at 10 am
    Incremental Shadows from Proposed Development on September 21 at 10 am.
    photo 3 of 4
  • maps shows shadows from proposed Two Bridges development on September 21 at 12:30pm
    Incremental Shadows from Proposed Development on September 21 at 12:30 pm.
    photo 4 of 4

What does the neighborhood think?

Community groups and elected officials have raised concerns about the scale of the proposed residential developments and the potential indirect displacement of current residents due to the proposed large influx of market-rate units. In addition, opponents maintain that the modifications to the LSRD site plan that would facilitate the development of the towers are not “minor,” as asserted by the City, and instead, warrant a Special Permit, which would ensure that they would be subject to ULURP. Under ULURP, the public would have an opportunity to provide input and City Council members would have real leverage in representing the interests of their constituents.

Why are the proposed towers being reviewed together under CEQR?

The Department of City Planning (DCP), acting on behalf of the CPC, decided that given their close proximity, similar construction periods, and anticipated completion years, the proposed developments should be evaluated together under CEQR. This approach would help identify and address the potential cumulative environmental impacts that are likely to occur.

What are the potential environmental impacts of the three developments under the LSRD?

The project DEIS concludes that adverse impacts on elementary schools, publicly funded childcare facilities, and open space are likely to occur due to the significant increase in residential population under the LSRD. The increased population would also permanently affect traffic congestion, as well as pedestrian circulation and access at the East Broadway-Rutgers Street subway station (F train).

During construction, the DEIS states that the project will result in increased traffic congestion, a shortage of parking, and noise impacts. Upon completion, the three towers would cast significant incremental shadows on five nearby open space resources: Cherry Clinton, Lillian D. Wald, Little Flower, Coleman Playgrounds, and Rutgers Park. To show these shadow impacts, MAS created animations, shown below, comparing existing and proposed shadow conditions. Finally, the DEIS does not define specific measures to mitigate the potential adverse impacts nor any mechanisms to enforce them.

 

maps shows shadows from proposed Two Bridges development on September 21 at 12:30pm
MAS Shadow Analysis for the Two Bridges Area.

What is the difference between a minor and a major modification to the LSRD?

This question is the central issue surrounding the proposal and is the primary factor in determining the level of public input that is allowed in the process. According to DCP, major modifications require changes to the underlying zoning rules and to existing modifications or waivers, while minor modifications do not. Conversely, major modifications require a Special Permit and are subject to ULURP review. Minor modifications do not require a Special Permit and are not subject to ULURP review.

In 2016, former director of the DCP Carl Weisbrod, determined that the proposed projects under the Two Bridges LSRD constitute minor modifications, thereby allowing the developers to move forward without having to seek a Special Permit or going through ULURP. And since the projects would not be subject to ULURP, they would not need approval from the New York City Council, leaving the final decision solely to the CPC.

Have there been modifications to the LSRD in the past?

Since the creation of the Two Bridges LSRD in 1972, at least two certifications, eight authorizations, and five Special Permits have been granted. These actions effectively modified the rules that govern development in the area. The City granted waivers for height limits, setbacks, and distance between buildings. These modifications were granted through Special Permits, which were subject to public review. Although the Two Bridges DEIS lacks clarity in describing the LSRD modifications that would facilitate the proposed development, the previous Special Permits issued for the LSRD could be seen as a precedent for triggering public review.

Without ULURP, what opportunity does the public have to voice concerns?

As mentioned previously, DCP decided that the applications for developments under the Two Bridges LSRD must be reviewed cumulatively under CEQR. As required, DCP, the CEQR lead agency, released the DEIS on June 22, 2018, which started a 60-day period for the affected Community Board (Manhattan CB3) to issue comments and a resolution.

Members of the public have two more opportunities to comment on the proposal and the DEIS: during the next scheduled Community Board 3 public meeting on August 14 and on October 17 at the CPC public hearing.

What are the implications of the proposals not going through ULURP?

Without the ULURP process, the developments in the LSRD would not be reviewed by the Manhattan Borough President’s office and public input would be limited to the CB3 and CPC meetings. Most importantly, the project would not be subject to a vote by the City Council.

Ultimately, this means that the terms of the project, the disclosure of adverse impacts and mitigation measures would not be negotiated by the elected officials with the leverage to approve or disapprove the application. In short, without ULURP, the bargaining power of the public is very limited.

Are there any alternatives for the area?

There are two proposed land use alternatives for the Two Bridges area:
On Oct. 12, 2017, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Council Member Margaret Chin, filed a draft zoning amendment to change zoning rules for a section within the Two Bridges area. The amendment would require developers to apply for a Special Permit to facilitate the construction of the towers. This would require the applicants to go through ULURP review. In addition, in their letter to CPC, CM Chin and Borough President Brewer requested their application be expedited for consideration. If accepted, the proposed amendment could ensure that community members and their representatives have more input during the approval process.

The Chinatown Working Group (CWG), a coalition of community organizations, has been working on a plan to rezone parts of Manhattan’s Chinatown and the Lower East Side since 2008. After the DCP declined to file an application based on the plan in 2015, local community groups initiated another proposal to rezone Subdistrict D, a strip along the waterfront located between Catherine Street to the south and East 13th Street to the west. The current proposal from the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV), Tenants United For Fighting Lower East Side (TUFF-LES), and Community Board 3, includes height limits, requires special permits for big-box commercial stores, increases community and public open space, provides a mandate for permanently affordable housing, and would institute stronger anti-harassment protection measures for local tenants.

What can the public do?

Although there is no formal public review process and opportunity for negotiation is limited, it is vital that residents and groups concerned about this application attend the two public meetings scheduled:

CB3 Public Meeting
Tuesday, August 14 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
MS 131 Auditorium – 100 Hester Street (between Forsyth & Eldridge Streets)

CPC Public Hearing
October 17, 2018
120 Broadway (Concourse level)

You can contact City Planning at:
Department of City Planning, Manhattan Office
120 Broadway 31st Floor
New York, NY 10271

Or call: 212-720-3480

Stay informed through your local representative’s office and community board

You can review the DEIS documents here

You can also download graphic materials and other files produced by MAS at the following link