Unanimous Approval for Domino:

Planning Commission Gives the Green Light

The City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the proposal for the New Domino site, a sweeping housing development slated for the Williamsburg Waterfront that will encompass the old sugar refinery by the same name. The controversial plan has elicited strong opinions from both residents and elected officials in Greenpoint/Williamsburg, however the 13 members of the City Planning Commission swiftly approved the project, which will now move on to the city council, explaining that all development projects require balance and compromise, and the New Domino is a perfect example of both.
The plan, put forth by Community Preservation Corporation, encompasses the rezoning of an 11.2 acre site on the Southside waterfront to include four 300-400 foot glass towers and 2,200 residential units—660 of which will be permanently affordable—in addition to retail and commercial space, and more than four acres of open and green space. The plan includes a waterfront esplanade, a complete overhaul of the existing wharf and the preservation of the brick landmark Refinery complex, erected in 1882 and land-marked in 2007, as well as the famous Domino Sugar sign. In addition, the plan calls for a job-training program, and expects to create upwards of 1,000 jobs for community residents. “New Domino will revitalize an inaccessible, vacant and underutilized site,” said Commission Chair Amanda Burden. “This project will bring ample open space and much-needed affordable housing, and I am proud to vote yes.”
Though the plan is largely the same as its original incarnation, Community Preservation Corporation announced that the number of parking spaces will be reduced by 266 spaces, and the three commercial towers will be reduced to 250 feet, 160 feet and 130 feet. The height and density of the project still managed to raise concerns for community members and planning commissioners alike, though the affordability of the project outweighed its drawbacks.
“I persist that 40-story towers are too tall, and I’m still concerned about density,” said Commissioner Angela Battaglia. “About the affordable housing, I am absolutely thrilled—it’s remarkable, just wonderful.”
“You can’t have affordability without density—it’s like love and marriage,” said Commissioner Irwin Cantor with a chuckle. “You can’t have one without the other.”
Despite the Planning Commission’s enthusiasm, the plan is still considered controversial, and has not yet garnered support from Councilmember Stephen Levin, in whose district New Domino is to be developed. Since Community Board 1 voted against the project earlier this year, Levin has maintained that he is uncomfortable with the height, density and overall scale of the project, and will not support the plan without massive reductions.
“I share CB1’s recommendations pretty much straight down the line,” Levin said. “Assemblyman Lopez and I still firmly oppose the New Domino project as it is currently proposed. While I am pleased that the applicant withdrew the special permit for extra parking spaces and that the City Planning Commission reduced the height of the northernmost tower, the plan is still deeply flawed.”

One of the most serious concerns about the project is whether or not the current transit infrastructure will be able to support such a massive influx of new residents to the Southside Williamsburg area.

“The applicant has not adequately addressed the transportation and congestion problems associated with the project,” Levin continued. “The overall plan is simply too big. The height and density of the Domino plan will have a negative impact on the community.”

Susan Pollack, CPC Senior Vice President, explained that the developers are, in fact, taking the transit issue very seriously, and are committed to exploring all available options.

“Ferry service would be great,” Pollack said. “We’ve got empty rivers and we’re just a few minutes away from the city. But it’s not something we can take on, on our own. But all of the waterfront developments are interested.”

The plan will now move on to the city council for a vote.

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