NEW YORK, NY May 01, 2008 —A major plan to bring new development to 125th Street is going forward after the City Council overwhelmingly approved a new zoning plan for the whole length of Harlem's main artery. WNYC's Siddhartha Mitter reports.

MITTER: Council members called the rezoning a big victory, especially members from Harlem who had a hand in the final compromised plan.

Melissa Mark-Viverito represents East Harlem.

MARK-VIVERITO: We have to be clear about the historic aspect of this rezoning plan. And what we’ve been able to do is really shift the public policy discussion with the City of New York when it comes to looking at affordability levels

MITTER: The plan requires that 46 percent of housing along 125th Street be affordable. And it launches a new home ownership program.

But some activists were in court yesterday, complain that the community wasn’t properly consulted. A judge refused to block the vote, but a hearing on the subject has been scheduled.

For WNYC, I’m Siddartha Mitter.