As the city's plan to rezone SoHo and NoHo continues through the public review process on it's way to a final vote, planning officials are continuing to push the proposal they say would bring more than 900 units of affordable housing to the area.

City planning officials making the case during a virtual hearing to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

"Housing would be allowed for the first time in SoHo and NoHo and permanently affordable income restricted housing would be mandated," said Erik Botsford, deputy director in the Department of City Planning’s Manhattan division.

Brewer is now weighing the issue before casting a vote on the plan.  

"I know it's controversial, and I know it's significant. Any neighborhood rezoning can be contentious," said Brewer.

Manhattan's Community Board 2 rejected the plan in a near unanimous vote last month with many long time residents opposed. Critics worry that it will further gentrify the area.

"It doesn't mandate developers to create residential use," said Christopher Marte. "So, any developer can come in and build commercial offices right on Canal Street, and as we've seen throughout lower Manhattan, these massive luxury towers especially commercial ones, cause displacement."

Marte is the democratic nominee for city council's district one. He joined others urging Brewer to vote no.  

But some approve of  what the city wants to do to update zoining laws that haven't changed since 1971, when regulations were amended to allow artists to use the lofts there as live/work spaces.

The borough president has 30 days to make her recommendation before the plan goes to the city planning commission.