Rendering of the new eight-story building on 52nd Street./Image Credit: Albo Liberis and CPC

The new development would be located near the 7 line and many bus stops. On March 13, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved an application to rezone part of 52nd Street in Sunnyside, Queens. The rezoning will affect the east side of 52nd Street, bounded by Roosevelt Avenue to the north and Queens Boulevard to the south. The street would be rezoned from a low-density residential zoning district that allows three-story buildings to a medium-density residential zoning district that allows eight-story buildings. The rezoning would facilitate the construction of a new eight-story mixed-use building located mid-block between 43-09 and 43-25 52nd Street. On February 19, 2020, City Planning voted to approve the application. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the application, click here.

The proposed eight-story mixed-use building will have residential, commercial, and community facility uses. The building will have 60 residential units with 15 to 18 units expected to be set aside for affordable housing under the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing requirement. The units will be a mix of one, two, and three bedrooms. There will be ground-floor commercial and retail space in the building. Richard Lobel, counsel for the applicant, stated at the February 26th public hearing, that originally the ground floor was only for commercial use but Queens Community Board 2 wanted community facility use in the building. Lobel stated that, based on the board’s feedback, the ground floor will have 4,000 square feet of commercial space and 4,600 for community facility use for education purposes. The building’s cellar will have 43 parking spaces. Lobel noted that this is a larger number of parking spaces than what is required by the zoning regulations.

Lobel explained that the proposed rezoning is intended to reflect the area’s existing density. Currently, the proposed rezoning block is located between two medium-density zoning districts that permit taller buildings. Lobel also stated that there are already eight- and nine-story buildings located on the southwest intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 52nd Street.

Lobel also noted that the surrounding area is transit-rich because the development is 100 feet away from the 7 train and near many bus stops. He stated that this makes it an ideal location to provide affordable housing.

At the public hearing, Subcommittee Chair and Council Member Francisco Moya asked about the decision behind the number of parking units. Lobel explained that the applicant had space in the cellar and it was convenient for them to provide the space for additional parking.

On March 13, 2020, the Subcommittee voted to approve this project. The Council Land Use Committee will vote on this application on March 16, 2020.

By: May Vutrapongvatana (May is the CityLaw Fellow and New York Law School Graduate, Class of 2019).