BrooklynSpeaks was at the review of the Atlantic Yards project by the NYC Planning Commission Monday. See also the Atlantic Yards Report for a more in-depth account of the session, and click here to download the letter sent by City Planning to the ESDC. Some reactions from our correspondent:

- The review session was being held prior to the Commission’s vote on Wednesday on a variety of zoning over-rides and other actions required by the city in order for the project to be approved. The Commission was given a presentation of the project by the staff of the Brooklyn office of City Planning.

- The main recommendation was for an 8% reduction in the overall density (approx. 622,000sf.) of the project. Specifically, recommendations for changes by the staff included the slimming of the building on site 1, “Miss Brooklyn”, and a request for the reduction in height of three buildings, sites 5, (PC Richards) from 350’ to 220’, site 3 (at the corner of Dean and Flatbush) from 488’ to 240’ and site 6 in Phase II along Atlantic Avenue from 334’ to 210’. The intent of the shape and height changes were to "have a positive urban design impact on the Williamsburg Savings Bank and the varying silhouette of towers along Atlantic Avenue".

- The recommendations also included an increase of open space from 7 acres to 8 acres. It was not clear where the additional acre of open space would be located but it was not suggested that the design would be substantially changed – the main open space will be publicly accessible but currently will continue to be less a public park than a private enclave.

- Given the size and complexity of the project and the debate surrounding it, there was remarkably little substance to the questions asked by the Commissioners.

- One of the few interesting exchanges concerned phase 2 of the project. A commissioner asked if there was any certainty that the project would deliver as promised and it was explained that only Phase I is assured since the size and completion of Phase II depends on negotiations yet to come and the market at the time. For more background on why phase 2 of the project might be delayed, please read this article.

- While it is clear from the session that the staff of the Department of City Planning have been heavily involved in shaping the project in private meetings, it seems unfortunate that there has not been more of a public review of the project by the City Planning Commissioners themselves, which would have created a more open, transparent planning process.