Neighborhood Character and Scale • Out of context height: Highland Boulevard features historic, standalone, and low-density residential homes. A 95-foot-tall, nine-story building dwarfs the surrounding architecture. And places the places the park is in shadow • Precedent for over-development: Locals worry that approving a spot-rezoning for this size sets a harmful standard for future projects near the park. Environmental and Park Impacts • Disruption of nature: The massive scale sits too close to vital green spaces, wetlands and local bird habitats within Highland Park. • The development plan calls for the rezoning of 200 feet of parkland designated as an environmentally protected wetland in a process called abatement. • The proposed structure may disrupt or confuse birds utilizing the Atlantic Flyway to migrate. Nine protected species, rare species and species of special concern could be affected. • Threat to protected wetlands: The proposed development would be built too close to protected wetlands and may seek to convert portions of them to private use. Because wetlands are rare in New York City’s densely developed neighborhoods, they warrant careful protection. • Loss of open views: High-rise density alters the open, natural atmosphere that defines the park edge. • Into the darkness: Nine stories will cast a massive shadow over the park and surround areas. This will rob trees houses and picnickers of natural sunlight for 6-9 hours for 9 months of the year. Including portions of the park designated as forever wild areas. Infrastructure and Congestion • Increased density: Adding 345 units sharply increases local population density. • Parking and traffic: Residents anticipate additional severe strain on street parking and local traffic flow in a traditionally quieter residential zone. That already suffers during spring and summer months. • Slippery slope of Over-Development: The team behind the proposed development wants to rezone the land from R3-1 to R6A, the presentation shows, allowing them to build a nine-story, 345-unit building rather than the three-story, 105-unit development they could build as of right. • Rules currently permit multifamily development on this R3-1 site, which previously allowed single- or two-family homes, semi-detached houses, or a community facility. Watermark Capital nevertheless seeks an R6A rezoning to build nine stories—larger than current R3-1 rules permit. This change could accelerate the replacement of the historic homes that define Highland Boulevard and allow them to build into the park. • The developer will also ask to demolish Robert Place, a small dead-end street that runs along the east side of the section, the presentation says. As well, any development that takes advantage of a rezoning would be required to include affordable housing under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program.