Plan builds on several 2006 Queens downzonings. On July 29, 2009, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s 300-block rezoning proposal for the three west-central Queens neighborhoods of Middle Village, Maspeth, and Glendale. The plan seeks to decrease future out-of-character development and builds on several 2006 rezoning plans within the area.

Characterized by detached and semi-detached single- and two-family housing, the area’s R3-2, R4, and R5 zoning, which was largely unchanged since 1961, allowed for inconsistent development. The Council’s approval rezoned the area to a mix of contextual zoning districts — R3A, R4A, R4B, R4-1, R5B, and R5D — found to more closely match the neighborhood’s built character. Also rezoned were several manufacturing-zoned blocks within west-central Queens where Planning found illegal residential construction. The plan brings these blocks into compliance. (more…)

Residents support City Planning’s proposal to use lower density and contextual zoning districts to limit out-of-character development. On April 22, 2009, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposal for more than 250 blocks in northeastern Queens, and the creation of a new citywide R1-2A contextual zoning district. The North Flushing rezoning plan, undertaken in response to requests from local council members, Queens Community Boards 7 and 11, and local civic groups, impacts five neighborhoods: North Flushing, Broadway-Flushing, Bowne Park, Auburndale, and Bayside. The rezoning area is generally bounded by 25th Avenue to the north, Northern Boulevard and Depot Road to the south, Clearview Expressway and Francis Lewis Boulevard to the east, and Union Street to the west.

Zoning in North Flushing has remained largely unchanged since 1961. Over the past several years North Flushing has experienced increasingly out-of-scale development in the largely residential area, which is predominantly characterized by one- and two-family detached and semi-detached houses, and with multi-family buildings located primarily in the western and southern portions. The bulk of the rezoning replaces many existing R3- 2, R4, R5, and R6 districts with lower density and contextual zoning districts, including the new R1-2A district. The rezoning also modifies commercial overlay districts to prevent intrusion of commercial uses on residential portions of blocks. Planning believes that the rezoning will ensure that future development in the area will reflect the neighborhoods’ established character. (more…)

New York Hospital Queens will add 80 beds, a new entrance and expanded cardiology and surgery facilities. New York Hospital applied for rear-yard, setback and bulkhead variances as part of a large-scale modernization and expansion of its 6.4-acre facility at 56-45 Main Street in Flushing, Queens. The 439-bed, acute care teaching hospital, occupies two blocks along Booth Memorial Avenue, employs 3,000 people and receives approximately 400 patients and 250 visitors per day.

five-story, 97,219-square-foot addition and a 122,368-square-foot, 372-space garage. The proposed addition would connect to the existing buildings, permitting expanded cardiology and surgery services, 80 additional beds and a new 2,098- square-foot lobby and entrance at the corner of Main Street and Booth Memorial Avenue. The proposed garage would be located on the corner of Booth Memorial Avenue and 141st Street with two below-ground levels and one above-ground level, requiring demolition of five existing two-story hospital buildings. (more…)

Developer gets variance to build a 200-unit, mixed-use development on site occupied by historic theater. Boymelgreen Developers, owner of two lots located at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Main Street in Flushing, Queens, totaling 41,880 square feet, sought to construct a 200-unit, seventeen- story, mixed-use building with accessory parking. The building will be constructed on two currently improved lots. The first lot contains a two-story commercial building that will be demolished. The second lot contains the RKO Keith Flushing Theater, which is home to an interior landmark.

Boymelgreen argued that several unique features of the site created an unnecessary hardship. The limited street frontage along Northern Boulevard, much of which is occupied by the theater, required the residential tower to be built above the theater. Boymelgreen also argued that restoration and protection of the theater during construction would be costly and time consuming. According to Boymelgreen, bringing the theater up to modern standards was infeasible because it would require an increased incline on the ground floor for stadium seating and a rebuilt balcony. Among other waivers requested, Boymelgreen sought to increase the allowable residential FAR for from 2.43 to 6.86 and the mixed-use FAR from 4.8 to 7.5. (more…)

Governor Kathy Hochul speaks with local residents during a visit to a storm damaged neighborhood in Queens, NY earlier this month. (Photo: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The program offers assistance to those who cannot qualify for federal relief. On September 26, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $27 million will be available for relief from Hurricane Ida for undocumented New Yorkers. Undocumented New Yorkers who suffered from the historic flooding and storm damage are not eligible to receive storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program or other programs due to their undocumented status. The New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) will manage the program. (more…)