In April 2007, Borough President Stringer announced his proposal for a West Harlem Special District, a comprehensive plan to rezone West Harlem to protect its character and its longtime residents and businesses in the face of the significant development pressure the neighborhood faces.  The Borough President proposed that West Harlem, which has not been rezoned since 1961, receive special zoning rules that will ensure that the community benefits from new development, and prevent the gentrification, displacement, and other negative impacts that rising real estate pressures might otherwise bring to the area.   The zoning proposal is designed to be a vehicle for turning Community Board 9’s planning principles into law, and to provide a blueprint for the future growth and development of the West Harlem community. 

In the months after he first released his proposal, Borough President Stringer attended Community Board and block association meetings, and held numerous public meetings throughout West Harlem, to seek input into the plan and support from all stakeholders.  Elected officials, community and labor leaders, civic groups, and grassroots organizations united in a broad coalition supporting this critical rezoning of West Harlem.

On September 25, 2007 City Planning Director Amanda Burden confirmed that the Bloomberg Administration will partner with Borough President Stringer to begin work on the rezoning this fall, with a full rezoning plan ready for review and approval by June 2008.  The proposed West Harlem rezoning will include:

• Contextual zoning provisions to limit the scale of buildings to reflect the existing character of the community, and to stop displacement pressures threatening the neighborhood.
• Inclusionary housing, to create permanently affordable housing in new developments.
• A planning study area that extends to Community Board 9’s northern boundary at 155^th Street.  Based on consistent community comment and advocacy, this border has been increased from the originally proposed 145^th Street.

This rezoning will take major strides to preserve the existing social and physical character of West Harlem.  These results could not have been achieved without the early support of Congressman Charles Rangel, Councilman Robert Jackson and other officials, or without the collaboration and input of Community Board 9 Chair Jordi Reyes-Montblanc and important neighborhood organizations like the Hispanic Federation, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and West Harlem Community Preservation Organization, among many others.

The Borough President’s office is now working closely with the Department of City Planning, the community, and other stakeholders to refine and shape the proposal so that it can be enacted next year.  While City Planning’s support is a critical step forward for the project, important work remains to be done, as the plan undergoes further refinement and more public input is received.  If you would like to sign up as a supporter of the rezoning and get updates on its progress and continuing input into its development, please sign up below.

• Detailed WHSD Proposal
• Powerpoint Presentation on the WHSD Proposal
• Letter from City Planning Director Amanda Burden
• WHSD Summary in Spanish