From 2022-2024, Hester Street partnered with the office of NYC Council Member Crystal Hudson to create a new, community-informed approach to land use planning that increases transparency and embeds community priorities in future development plans for Brooklyn’s District 35. Through that work, HST developed Planning Together for our Future: Development Framework for Council District 35, a novel land use framework to shape the district’s approach to land use planning.
To create the framework, HST reached out to over 1,200 constituents to source their priorities for land use and development throughout the district. Our team developed a survey that engaged 1,086 respondents across District 35, convened over 150 participants at 3 public meetings, consulted 6 focus groups for 45 district leaders, and hosted 4 advisory committee meetings with 12 members, as well as over 25 informal civic engagement activities. Community feedback from the survey revealed a number of concerns for residents, including rising costs associated with gentrification, a need for new affordable housing, open and accessible green spaces, and improved youth programming.
Published in April 2024, the framework introduces a set of community-established parameters and baseline criteria for community members, developers, and the Council Member’s office to guide decision-making, refine the ULURP process, and incorporate community input on neighborhood-specific priorities on land use in the years to come. Council Member Hudson’s office has committed to incorporating the framework into the ULURP process to ensure future development meets local needs, with the hope of influencing other districts to move toward similar practices.
In order to solicit feedback from diverse stakeholders, HST designed a multipronged outreach and engagement strategy, including an online and print survey; public meetings and events; and focus groups with specific stakeholder groups.
The following engagement materials formed the backbone and basis for the community-informed development framework HST developed in collaboration Council Member Hudson’s office:
- Land use framework survey tool
- Focus group materials for meetings with community leaders focused on business and arts and culture; public space and the environment; youth and education; health and seniors; and housing.
- Engagement activities, including:
- Station boards focused on business and arts and culture; public space and the environment; youth and education; health and seniors; and housing.
- A cyanotype print activity inviting participants to creatively represent their priorities for development in the district.
- Public education and outreach tools, including:
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- ULURP handout to help community members better understand how new development projects get approved in their district.
- District 35 Neighborhood Snapshot breaking down recent demographic shifts in the district, and mapping the distribution of resources across neighborhoods.