Limited Public Feedback at Baobab Village Scoping Meeting Highlights Need for Community Engagement

Residents had the opportunity to voice their opinions at a public scoping meeting for the proposed Baobab Village project, held by the New York City Department of City Planning on January 22, 2026. The meeting aimed to discuss the environmental review process for this ambitious development, designated as city environmental quality review number 26DCP070K.

During the session, deputy director Iran Kajar led a format divided into three parts. The first segment consisted of a presentation by the applicant team regarding the Baobab Village proposal and its draft scope of work. The latter parts were reserved for testimonies from elected officials, community leaders, and the general public, allowing for direct community engagement with the planning process (Source: https://youtu.be/0UEFgAbiEf0&t=2801).

While some community members took the opportunity to voice their thoughts, participation was limited, with only a few registered speakers present. Following the public comment period, Kajar emphasized that the Department of City Planning would carefully review both verbal and written comments, with submissions open until 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026. Residents could send their feedback via email to the project-specific address (Source: https://youtu.be/0UEFgAbiEf0&t=526).

The meeting underscored the importance of public involvement in shaping the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project, which will analyze various aspects of the proposed development, including land use and transportation implications. Kajar noted that no decisions regarding the project would be made the day of the meeting, reiterating the need for an inclusive review process that incorporates community concerns (Source: https://youtu.be/0UEFgAbiEf0&t=1998).

As the Baobab Village project moves forward, additional public meetings will be held to further engage residents and collect their input. Individuals who could not participate in the scoping meeting were encouraged to submit written comments to ensure their opinions were accounted for in future planning stages (Source: https://youtu.be/0UEFgAbiEf0&t=437).