The New York City Council on Monday approved a rezoning that would allow the proposed Coney Island casino development to build a large complex, the Brooklyn Paper reported.
Council members — including Justin Brannan, who represents the neighborhood — voted 36-11 with four abstentions in favor of The Coney’s plan to demap part of Bowery Street and purchase air rights above existing streets and buildings, making way for three high-rise towers and two pedestrian bridges.
The vote does not guarantee that The Coney is coming. The team — headed by Joe Sitt’s Thor Equities — is still vying for one of three new Downstate casino licenses from the state, the paper said. The state's Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to make a final decision on which of the eight proposed projects will get a license at the end of this year.
In the meantime, each application will be reviewed by its own Community Advisory Committee comprised of six members appointed by local elected officials. Each CAC will hold at least two public hearings, and must hold a final vote on the applications by Sept. 30. Only applications supported by at least two-thirds of the CAC will be considered by the Board.
In a statement, Brannan told Brooklyn Paper it was “not up to me alone” to determine whether there was enough support for the casino.
“Trust me I would much rather have Coney Islanders organize for what they want than feel like they must fight for what they don’t want,” he said. “It is my responsibility to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to make their voices heard on this matter through the Community Advisory Committee process mandated by New York State. Then all of the local elected officials can make a decision collectively.”
The proposed casino and rezoning have proven divisive among Coney Islanders. In January, Community Board 13 voted against the rezoning, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in March announced conditional support of the proposal. Council Member Inna Vernikov, who represents part of Coney Island and Brighton Beach, voted against the rezoning.
