I had been thinking about starting a new thread regarding zoning, but since you mention it here I thought I'd post that Helen Sears commissioned a zoning study recently. I've heard its completed, although no one from her office has responded to my inquiries yet. This part of the study, as far as I understand, was focused on the commercial district of 73rd/74th street because the current zoning there (C4-3) allows for a pretty high density of building and development, and there are plans underway to take advantage of that. They just started tearing down one of the few remaining homes on 73rd Street bet. 37th and B'way, and I would imagine there's a relatively big building going in there. Also, last I heard plans were approved to add multiple stories to the current one story buildings on the corner of 73rd and 37th. These are in addition to the 7 story building on that block that just about finished.
I can understand if most people in JH are not too interested in that block since they don't live near it and it's not so close to the precious historic district, but rampant irresponsible development there does seem to me to set an ominous precedent for the rest of the neighborhood. If not many people object now, it would be hard to make a case for caring about other parts later.
Interested parties shouldn't waste time with the JHBG, they should write directly to Amanda Burden, the City Planning Commissioner and Council member Tony Avela, chair of the zoning committee. I suppose a copy to Helen Sears wouldn't hurt so she knows people are serious.