FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 105-05 March 23, 2005 STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSING BAY RIDGE REZONING "As part of this Administration's ongoing commitment to protect the character of our neighborhoods, we worked with community groups and local elected officials to develop a comprehensive plan to rezone 249 blocks in Bay Ridge. Today, we are extremely pleased that the City Council unanimously adopted these vital protections, which triples the number of blocks where only detached houses will be permitted. This is the largest such initiative to date in Brooklyn and it builds on our Administration's promise to ensure that new development reinforces, and does not undermine, the fabric of our neighborhoods." MEDIA CONTACT: Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk   (212) 788-2958