Pratt Center for Community Development

Community Board 9 197-a

Community Board 9's 197-a Plan recommends zoning, design and other land use measures to promote affordable housing, economic development, accessible transportation, an improved environment, community facilities, and other essential resources for Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights and Manhattanville.

The plan was developed through public forums in each of the neighborhoods, analysis by Pratt Center planners, and the leadership of the community board and its 197-a Planning Committee.

197-a is a section of the New York City charter that authorizes community boards to develop their own land use plans for their districts, subject to the approval of the borough president, City Council and mayor. CB9M unanimously approved the plan and sent it to the Department of City Planning in October 2005. It began public review in the summer of 2007, concurrent with the approval process for Columbia University's own plan to rezone Manhattanville for a planned campus expansion.

Recommendations in CB9M's plan include:

• Inclusionary zoning to produce affordable housing
• Negotiation of a community benefits agreement
• Expansion of open and green space
• A ban on eminent domain to seize property for development
• Special districts for light industry and the arts
• Street design for pedestrians

In August 2007, Community Board 9 presented its plan (2.3 MB) to the City Planning Commission, which is scheduled to vote on the plan as well as Columbia University's rezoning in fall 2007.

The Community Board 9 197-a Plan documents are in Adobe Acrobat format

Section	Description
Full Report (10MB)
Cover Page
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Introduction and Executive Summary
Existing Conditions
Recommendations
Illustrations
Glossary
Appendices Cover Page
Appendix A	Population Characteristics
Appendix B	Land Use & Zoning
Appendix C	Urban Design, Open Space & Historic Preservation
Appendix D	Transportation & Transit
Appendix E	Economic Development
Appendix F	Environmental Protection & Sustainability
Appendix G	Housing
Appendix G-a	Community Board 9 Manhattan Housing Distribution Policy
Appendix G-b	Existing Affordable Housing Programs
Appendix H	Community Facilities
Appendix I	Meetings Log
Appendix II	Community Feedback
Appendix III	Relationship to Applicable Policy Documents
Appendix IV	Letters to Agencies and Elected Officials