Committee declares lead agency for Flatbush–Foxhall streetscape; EAF notes historic resources and stormwater work

City staff returned the Flatbush–Foxhall streetscape project to committee and asked the body to declare itself lead agency under SEQR and classify the project as an unlisted action. The staff presentation included EAF Part 1 and Part 2 details: a project site of 9.5 acres with about 4.9 acres to be physically disturbed, and coordination required with NYSDOT and federal funding oversight for environmental permits.

Staff identified potential historic-resource implications (the National Curtain Lease Factory building at 165 Cornell Street was noted as a listed property) and flagged potential bat roosts and possible bald-eagle use in the area. Stormwater work will rely on existing conveyances augmented by green-infrastructure tree pits and engineered imported soil. "One feature of this project is going green infrastructure… similar to what you see on Broadway," project staff said, describing tree pits designed to attenuate runoff and improve infiltration.

Committee members pressed staff on multimodal trade-offs: adding a separated bike lane would require substantial right-of-way acquisition and could reduce on-street parking; staff said federal aid funding and NYSDOT roadway standards constrain lane widths and design choices under the current funding scenario. The committee moved, seconded and approved the lead-agency declaration and unlisted-action classification by voice vote; staff said they will continue to refine details and will host community meetings with the contractor as work approaches construction phases.