The guidelines for what can be built on a certain piece of land are determined by the zoning classification. Where a development plan complies with an existing zoning classification, the project can be built “as of right” without any community input. However, when the property owner wants to building something that is not permitted by existing zoning, they must go through a rezoning. The BMT is currently zoned only for manufacturing, so if it was city-owned property, any change in use would require the owner to go through the Uniform Land Use Review Process (“ULURP”) and comply with New York City Zoning Regulations. However, where, as here, the property is state-owned, the State can override all zoning rules and the City-review process by doing something called a General Project Plan (“GPP”).

There are many differences between ULURP and GPP, but one of the biggest ones is that the GPP process does not require community review or recommendation at any level (by contrast ULURP requires review and input by the community board, Borough President, and City Council). To remedy this imbalance, local elected officials successfully advocated for the creation of a “Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force,” which would have a binding vote on the illustrative plan, also known as a “Vision Plan.” 

The Vision Plan is not the final binding document. It is the conceptual design that will be used to create the draft General Project Plan. At the Vision Plan stage, details such as the layout, land use, building heights, and general design elements are determined. Once a GPP is created, the project goes through various stages of environmental, planning, and regulatory review, which can alter the elements of the Vision Plan. If additional community outreach is conducted during the GPP review process, that input can also be incorporated into the final GPP.

Once a Vision Plan is approved, EDC will create a draft General Project Plan. There is no uniform procedure for how a project goes from a draft GPP to a final GPP. How much it changes depends on the level of community input and environmental assessments that occurred before it was drafted. While some preliminary environmental analysis will be done as part of the development of the Vision Plan, a full environmental review will not take place until there is a draft GPP. 

EDC has stated that it will continue to engage the community throughout the GPP process. Below is the EDC’s description of the GPP process and related opportunities for public review. Note: while 2/3rds of the Task Force must approve the Vision Plan, the only community representatives that must approve the GPP are the members of the New York State legislature that sit on something called the “Public Authorities Control Board.” 

• Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) Vote: For certain redevelopment permissions, including property disposition, a vote by the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) is required. Through this process community involvement remains a priority, ensuring that public input is integrated into each stage of the project’s development. 
• Draft Scope of Work Release: The process begins with the release of the Draft Scope of Work for public review and comment. 
• Public Hearing on the Draft Scope of Work: A public hearing is then held, allowing community members to comment directly on the environmental review. The lead agency will compile and respond to all public comments and testimony provided at this hearing. 
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and GPP Release: Next, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the General Project Plan (GPP) are released for further public review and comment. 
• Joint Hearing on DEIS and GPP: A joint hearing is conducted on both the DEIS and GPP, offering another opportunity for public input on the environmental review and the GPP itself. Public feedback can lead to modifications in the environmental review and project plans. The lead agency will again respond to all public comments and testimony. 
• City Planning Commission (CPC) Review: The GPP is then referred to the NYC City Planning Commission (CPC), which holds a public review session before making a recommendation to approve, disapprove, or modify the GPP. Local Community Boards typically hold meetings and provide feedback to the CPC, which is incorporated into their recommendation. 
• Final GPP Modifications: If the CPC recommends disapproval or changes, the Empire State Development (ESD) can only affirm the GPP in its original form with a two-thirds vote of its Board of Directors. 
• Final GPP and EIS Publication: The Final GPP and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are published, and the lead agency responds to all public comments/testimony. The lead agency and other involved agencies will publicly issue their findings on the environmental review. 
• Empire State Development Board Vote: The ESD Board votes to adopt the Final GPP at a public meeting. 

Founded in 1958, the Cobble Hill Association is a non-profit, volunteer-run community organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of life in our unique urban neighborhood. Part of that mission involves advocating for the community on large-scale infrastructure projects like the BMT redevelopment.   

The Cobble Hill Association is a member of the BMT Task Force, represented by current CHA President Amanda Nichols, and is also part of the “Community Development and Housing” Advisory Group. The BMT Task Force and Advisory Groups will help shape the public engagement process and serve as forums to raise issues and concerns. Based on the community feedback solicited by the CHA directly and the EDC, as well as other information provided to BMT Task Force members, the CHA will cast a vote on the Vision Plan that will go on to serve as an outline for the final GPP (see BMT Redevelopment Process).

Additionally, the Cobble Hill Association is conducting its own community outreach, analysis, and education campaign through the CHA Waterfront and Infrastructure Committee, which is chaired by former CHA President Amy Breedlove. This group of community members have expertise in, among other things, placemaking, international waterfront development, city planning, architecture, and industrial design. The committee will work to educate the community and to solicit input.