On Dec. 20, approximately 100 East Village residents gathered at a meeting sponsored by Councilmember Rosie Mendez and the transportation committees of Community Board 3 and 2 to discuss issues associated with four development projects in the four-block radius at Cooper Square. The projects include a 23-story hotel with 146 rooms, began by the Peck Moss Hotel group last spring and expected to open in the spring of 2008; two separate 15-story residential projects; and a nine-story replacement for the old Hewitt Building, which housed Cooper Union studio space and engineering labs. Discussion focused on the various immediate disruptions caused by the projects, such as noise, traffic and rats (infestations often occur when old buildings are demolished), as well as concerns surrounding the ongoing affects of over-development, like jeopardizing the character of the neighborhood and pollution from idling construction vehicles. Several phone numbers were released so residents could lodge complaints in the future. But you know what they say about progress: You can’t stop it.