Coronavirus Puts Halt to Land Use Review Process

The executive order freezes land use applications so public meetings do not need to occur. On March 16, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order #100, which laid out several steps of the City’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the interest of limiting public gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Emergency Executive Order #100 freezes land use applications that have a timed review or vote requirement. This includes applications within <Read More>


Affordable and Environmentally Friendly Senior Housing Project Opens in Queens

The development provides housing and supportive services to formerly homeless seniors. On May 29, 2019, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the grand opening of HANAC’s $36 million Corona Senior Residence at 54-17 101St Street in Corona, Queens. The newly constructed eight-story housing project is environmentally friendly and comes with 67 affordable studio and one-bedroom residences, 21 of which are for formerly homeless seniors. The building features an early childhood education … <Read More>


Two Queens four-story buildings grandfathered

BSA ruled that owner made sufficient progress on construction prior to downzoning. In late 2008, Buildings issued permits to Selvakumar Rajaratnam to construct two four-story buildings with seven dwelling units each at 37-45 and 37-47 98th Street in North Corona, Queens. On March 24, 2009, the City Council approved the North Corona 2 rezoning, which rezoned the site from R6B to R5A, and rendered the proposed buildings out-of-compliance with maximum permitted floor area, number of … <Read More>


Developer wins right to complete Queens hotel

Developer claimed that reduction in hotel rooms due to rezoning would jeopardize franchise agreement. Developer HBC Corona LLC received a foundation permit on July 9, 2008 for its proposed seven-story, mixed-use development providing 100 transient hotel rooms and 63 hotel suites, located at 112-15 Northern Boulevard in Queens. Nearly nine months later the City Council approved the North Corona 2 rezoning plan, changing the site’s C2-4 (R6) zoning to C2-4 (R6A), and putting the proposed … <Read More>


Council approves North Corona downzoning

Developer’s appeal to maintain zoning fails to sway Council. On March 24, 2009, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposal for 100 blocks in North Corona, Queens. Although most of the affected blocks were included in a 2003 rezoning, local residents called on City Planning to propose another rezoning given recent out-of-character development.

When Planning presented its proposal at the City Planning Commission’s January 21st public hearing, several affected property owners … <Read More>