Last year, prolific hotel developer Sam Chang and his McSam hotel group ran into stiff opposition when they tried to put up a hotel on Webster Avenue on a small wedge of property between a private home and an auto shop.

Politcal and community leaders rose up and raised such a stink that McSam apparently put the project on shelf.

Now, McSam is back and prepared to start building. But first they want to make nice with residents and present their case in front of Community Board 7’s land use committee on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Board’s office. (See editorial on p. 8 for more details.)  

McSam cancelled an appearance at last month’s Land Use meeting and there’s no guarantee they will show up this time. The group doesn’t need approval to build on the property, which is zoned for heavy commercial use.

Downzoning certain areas of CB7 will also be discussed at the meeting. New board members are intent on protecting their neighborhoods from unwanted development such as a hotel in an area, like Webster Avenue, that has no need for one.

Protecting the character of historic neighborhoods such as Grand Avenue, where beautiful, old single-family homes are being replaced by bland cookie-cutter multi-family buildings, will also be discussed.