In two separate votes, the Council approved the redevelopment of the 61-acre Willets Point industrial site by Shea Stadium and the 30-acre Hunter’s Point South site south of Long Island City along the East River. Based on numbers released by the city, in a full build-out of what’s allowed under the zoning, Willets Point would have more than 1,900 units of below-market-rate housing while Hunter’s Point South would have about 3,000.

The Willets Point vote culminates months (or decades, taking a broader view) of contentious battle over the site's future. The Bloomberg administration targeted the district for redevelopment more than two years ago, and since has worked to push through the City Council a plan that would remove the current landowners and allow a developer to build a giant new complex of housing, retail, a hotel and perhaps a convention center. The fight to get Council approval was particularly difficult, as local Councilman Hiram Monserrate proved to be an exacting negotiator on issues surrounding affordable housing and deals with the large landowners.

Ultimately, the city boosted the affordable housing numbers to higher levels than it preferred and scaled back the scope of the main development. While the whole 61 acres will still be rezoned, two large parcels owned by Fodera Foods and House of Spices will remain in private hands and will not be awarded to a developer, though the businesses could independently sell their land. (The city bought out the largest landowner, Tully Construction, earlier today, though Tully would stay on its land for a number of years.)

Shovels in the ground shouldn’t be expected anytime soon as the project is clearly one for the long term, especially given the inclement credit markets. The site has been targeted for redevelopment by numerous administrations since the 1960s, but the landowners and other factors have thwarted the plans each time. Despite the likely widespread use of politically unpopular eminent domain, or at least the threat of it used on businesses to force land sales, the Bloomberg administration managed to emerge successful.

The plan passed the Council 42-2, with one abstention. Councilmen Tony Avella and Charles Barron voted against the plan, while Letitia James, an opponent of eminent domain, abstained.

HUNTER'S POINT SOUTH WAS hardly marked by any controversy, and thus slipped under the radar. The site was initially targeted by Mayor Bloomberg as a future home of 5,000 apartments, all for the middle class. The administration subsequently dropped that number to about 3,000 (with another 2,000 or so at market rates); however, it is still unclear how the costly venture will be financed.

The city is considering a financing structure where it would essentially be the developer and landlord for all the buildings on the site, a structure that the Economic Development Corporation thinks could save money in the long run as it would allow the use of tax-free financing. That structure has caused debate within the administration and would also need approval from the Internal Revenue Service, and has drawn fire from elected officials and affordable housing advocates who worry it would be inefficient. Still, a more standard development structure would be unlikely to qualify for tax-free bonds, and thus would require a large city investment.

Hunter’s Point South passed the Council 45-0.

Rosen said that the media was inconsistent for criticizing citizen journalists like Fowler but then picking up on her scoops.

Rosen said quotes from Mayhill‘s story about Obama got “stripped” and then “turned it into hot news.”

“So, check out the ethics of ‘closed fund-raiser' -- eew, so unethical, hot news, great story, here you go Drudge.”

“Each student was asked to draw a picture of their favorite memory with Maddox,” said the Transom’s exclusive Frog source, whose little brother is in the class. “My brother drew a picture of them playing soccer.”

Anything else? Maddox did not cry on his last day, reported le petit.

Would he be missed? “Yeah, sure.”

Did all the girls cry their eyes out about him leaving?

“Ha-ha-ha,” came the response. His big sister explained that at this age the girls and boys don’t really care about each other.

Did Maddox start a mohawk trend among his classmates? The young man, currently sporting a messy, long “Frenchie” look, wisely chose to ignore this question.

Big sister has a number of friends who live on the same block as the $18,900-a-year school. “Everyone says they’re going to miss Brangelina and the paparazzi,” she said. But plenty of Lycée parents are relieved about the power couple’s departure to Los Angeles, where Ms. Jolie is about to begin filming Clint Eastwood’s The Changeling. “I’ve heard other parents saying, ‘We’re glad they’re gone.’” one said. “You know, there was a certain safety issue that came with having him there.”

Classes began on Sept. 4, and the school is still adjusting to the chaos that ensues whenever Mr. Pitt or Ms. Jolie drops off or picks up their 5-year-old.

The Lycee’s director of operations, Dan Cooke, is confronting the matter head-on. On Sept. 14, he dispatched a letter to parents.

“I’m sure you are aware the school has received much media attention recently during the arrival and dismissal times because of the presence of celebrities Ms. Angelina Jolie and/or Mr. Brad Pitt,” read the document, according to a source who shared it with the Transom over the phone. “I want to make you aware that before the first day of school I met with their security team to discuss the best manner in which for them to drop off and pick up their son. Our foremost goal was to cause the least amount of disruption to the school and to ensure the security of all of our students and families.”

The letter went on to explain that the Jolie-Pitt family had agreed to “stagger” the arrival and pickup times of young Maddox, in order to disrupt as few students and parents as possible.

Then it addressed some troublemakers.

“Regretfully, I have seen some parents taking pictures, asking for autographs, talking to the media and even shouting at Ms. Jolie and Mr. Pitt for recognition,” the source quoted with some glee. “Therefore, in the best interests of the school and safety of your child(ren) I must ask for everyone to please respect the family’s privacy and discontinue these practices.” (“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment,” Mr. Cooke told the Transom.)

“The French are quite civilized,” commented the source, who has a sibling at the school. “But sure, you have the moms who get there a little earlier to get a little glimpse.” She further noted that Ms. Jolie has earned a gold star from some parents by personally apologizing for the flashbulb-popping pandemonium that she has brought to the school.

A rep for the couple didn’t return calls, but all that relentless picture-taking has apparently also had an effect on little Maddox. Kindergartners were recently asked to bring in a picture of themselves. “He was terrified,” the source reported. “He refused. He started crying. Obviously the poor kid has grown up in fear of having his picture taken.” Extreme camera-shyness aside, Maddox is doing just fine. “He’s been quite happy,” said the source. “He’s always smiling.” Though so far, she said, “his French is pretty minimal.” Miaou!