An update from attorney Jason Zakai of Hiller, P.C., legal counsel to VOG:

“We are pleased that the Court granted our request last evening for a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the City’s impending certification of the massive Gowanus rezoning project pending a hearing. This is a huge relief to our clients and many other community members, who have serious concerns about the lack of equity, access and transparency around the project, and want a meaningful opportunity to be heard.”

What does the order mean?

The Court's order enjoins and prevents the Department of City Planning from certifying the Gowanus rezoning, proceeding with the rezoning application, or holding virtual ULURP hearings on the application, all pending a hearing slated for January 27, 2021. 

That means a judge has barred the City from certifying the Gowanus rezoning on January 19, 2021, the dated it had intended. 

**Help our VOG legal counsel be fully prepared for next steps by supporting our Gowanus Legal Defense Fund.

Here is the full order: 

Voice of Gowanus Challenges “Virtual” Review Process and Lack of Charter Notice

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN - Attorneys for community coalition Voice of Gowanus (VOG) just filed suit against New York City’s Department of City Planning.  The legal suit, filed in State Supreme Court in Kings County, challenges the city’s illegal and inequitable plan to use a so-called “virtual” land use review procedure for the proposed Gowanus rezoning, which the suit alleges will disenfranchise many in the community. The suit, which also calls out the city’s failure to provide notice mandated by the city charter, seeks a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to block the city from certifying the rezoning on January 19th, 2021.

January 15, 2021             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAWSUIT COMING TODAY AGAINST GOWANUS REZONING

Voice of Gowanus Challenges “Virtual” Review Process

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN - Attorneys for community coalition Voice of Gowanus (VOG) will file suit against New York City’s Department of City Planning today.  The legal suit, to be filed in State Supreme Court in Kings County, challenges the de Blasio Administration’s illegal plan to use a so-called “virtual” land use review procedure for the proposed Gowanus rezoning.

Sometimes, you just have to look at the numbers to understand Brad Lander.

Twenty-one maximum campaign donations from executives at the Related Companies. Six max donations from Two Trees Management (including family members). Five max donations from Silverstein properties (including family members). Two max donations from Abra Construction. Two from Forest City Ratner Companies. BerlinRosen. Capalino and Company.

Today we're launching a Gowanus Legal Defense Fund to defend our neighborhood from a dubious proposed rezoning, that is not sustainable, healthy, nor a path to address equity issues in our city.  We invite you to help in this defense.

Your financial support right now (before year’s end!) at any level, is what will make that happen.  Donate to the Fund today!