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Queens CD08 Projects
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Queens Community District 08
197-15 Hillside Avenue
Hollis, NY 11423
Phone: 718.264.7895
Fax: 718.264.7910
Email: qn08@cb.nyc.gov
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Briarwood Rezoning
The proposed rezoning of Briarwood, a neighborhood in Central Queens consisting of 39 blocks abutted by Parsons Boulevard to the east, Queens Boulevard and the Van Wyck Expressway to the west, Grand Central Parkway to the north and Hillside Avenue to the south, was initiated by the Department of City Planning (DCP) on October 1st, 2007. The DCP reacted in response to neighborhood concern that the current zoning allows for building types that threaten the neighborhood’s distinct character. The Briarwood Civic Association consulted with the DCP to make sure this rezoning looks more closely at the greater neighborhood context than the current zoning did, which was adopted in 1996. The proposed zoning allows for primarily one and two-family detached houses and some three story multi-family apartments where greater density is appropriate, but at a moderate scale. While a portion of the neighborhood will continue to be zoned R6A for taller, denser multi-family residential buildings, it is a significantly smaller portion than what was previously considered appropriate. There are existing areas, which allow for mixed-use and commercial development, which are not being rezoned at this time due to their inherently commercial nature and location near major roadways. The idea is that any changes that have been made were done in a way to reflect the existing building types in each area to maintain the fabric of the neighborhood. Many in the community believed that the zoning established in 1996 endangered this fabric. The Department of City Planning certified the rezoning application and subsequently sent it on to Community Board 8 for their review.
The Department of City Planning presented a rezoning proposal for the Queen’s neighborhood of Briarwood to Community Board 8’s land use committee at a public hearing. The committee unanimously passed the proposal, which has been widely approved by both the Community Board and the community. Community groups such as the Briarwood Civic Association have been involved since the start of the process doing research and proposing changes to be included in the rezoning. Based on the level of community involvement, there has been little contention over this rezoning. Community Board 8, the Queen’s Borough President’s office, and the City Planning Commission have all approved the rezoning as of January 28, 2008. Continuing with the ULURP process, the City Council is the last to review the rezoning and must make their decision by March 28, 2008.
Recent headlines
Latest Dispute on St. John’s Dorm Centers on Parking Plan
March 6, 2008
Times Ledger
Residents Still Fighting St. John’s Dorm
February 14, 2008
Queens Chronicle
Queen’s Community Board 8 Approves Proposed Rezoning
October 25, 2007
Times Ledger
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South Jamaica Empire Zone Study
New York State Brownfields Agreement
Department of City Planning Jamaica Plan (pdf)
Final Environmental Impact Statement from DCP
Jamaica, Queens Development and Rezoning
The vision for downtown Jamaica is expansive. Soon the area will be a thriving airport village, with a healthy mix of homegrown and national stores. Old Navy and RadioShack are already open and a recent $75 million deal has cleared the way for Home Depot. Plans call for extending the retail district beyond Jamaica Avenue to link it more directly with the AirTrain transit hub two blocks to the south. Led by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, $23 million has already been raised to continue development plans for the area. LIRR’s rail yard will be the next location for retail or other people-friendly transformations. The GJDC plans to build two more 500-space parking lots, in addition to their five existing garages, in order to accommodate increasing retail traffic.
In addition to the plans for retail and streetscape improvements, the area has undergone a major rezoning. In September 2007, the City Council approved what was, at the time, the largest rezoning in the City’s history – 368 blocks. Proponents say the former zoning along the JFK AirTrain did not anticipate future development and would not attract new investment opportunities. They claim that the rezoning will allow for major retail and residential development in surrounding Jamaica as well as more transit oriented development. Critics of the zoning change argue that the rezoning will drastically change the character of the area, increase congestion and create a shortage of parking. Critics also question whether the existing infrastructure will be able to handle the strains of the new development.
Recent headlines
Two Churches in Jamaica Resist Landmarking
June 3, 2008
New York Daily News
Effort to Preserve Historic Jamaica Buildings
May 28, 2008
Queens Courier
Some Local Businesses, Non-Profits Suffering from Rezoning in Jamaica
May 13, 2008
New York Daily News
Union-Utopia Rezoning
Eighty-three blocks in the central Queens neighborhoods of Fresh Meadows, Utopia Estates and West Cunningham Park are currently zoned R-2, and the Department of City Planning proposes the entire area be rezoned to R-2A. The rezoning is designed to keep new development in line with current community characteristics, discouraging larger developments inconsistent with the community’s small, detached home qualities. Community groups support the plan, which awaits City Council approval before becoming effective.
Recent headlines
“Green” Manufacturing On The Rise In Queens
December 1, 2006
Queens Tribune
Rezoning Proposal Hailed By Homeowner Associations
January 25, 2006
Other
Avella Hopes to Rezone 800 Blocks in His District Alone
December 29, 2005
Other