New York City Council
Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises
Feb 26, 2024
·
02:00 PM
1 hr 45 min
Summary
A hearing on four zoning proposals: terminating a restrictive declaration for a mixed-use building at 88-08 Justice Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens; the Jennings Hall Expansion (a senior housing development) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; a mixed-use industrial/office building at 21-17 37th Avenue in Ravenswood, Queens; and a contentious residential tower at 231 East 94th Street in Yorkville, Manhattan. Discussions focused on allowing commercial use, addressing the need for affordable senior housing, rezoning for contemporary neighborhood needs, and concerns about building height, shadows, parking, and affordability levels. Features testimony from the applicants and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Kevin C. Riley Opens Subcommittee Meeting on Zoning and Franchises
Council Member Kevin C. Riley opens the meeting of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, outlining the agenda for the session. - Riley, as the chair of the subcommittee, is …
0:00:39
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51 sec
Eric Palatnik, Land Use Attorney for 88 Justice Avenue, on Removing Restrictive Declaration for Commercial Use
Eric Palatnik requests the NYC City Council to remove a restrictive declaration from 1972 on a property, allowing commercial use within an 18-story mixed-use building. - Palatnik represents 88 Justice …
0:04:33
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5 min
What commercial space is planned for 88 Justice Avenue?
Eric Palatnik explains that some commercial spaces at 88 Justice Avenue are designated for local retail and professional offices, but specifics are not confirmed. - Some commercial spaces are reserved …
0:10:00
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29 sec
Who is currently occupying or plans to occupy the commercial space at 88 Justice Avenue?
Central Queens Academy Charter School occupies community facility spaces at 88 Justice Avenue and is in talks to take over an additional 45,000 square foot space designated for commercial use. …
0:10:30
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39 sec
Who wants to testify on the current advocacy, and what is the next public hearing about?
No members of the public wish to testify on the current advocacy; the next public hearing discusses the proposed Jenny Hall Expansion Rezone in Flushing, Queens. - The Council calls …
0:11:09
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5 min
Frank Lang and Charlie Stewart from St. Nicks Alliance on Jennings Hall Expansion and Affordable Housing Initiative in Williamsburg
Frank Lang and Charlie Stewart from St. Nicks Alliance present a testimony on the expansion of Jennings Hall for adding 218 units of affordable housing in Williamsburg, highlighting the project's …
0:16:45
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6 min
Charlie Stewart, Assistant Director of Real Estate Development at St. Nicks Alliance, on the Design and Sustainability Features of Senior Housing
Charlie Stewart discusses the integration of community feedback and sustainability features in the design of a senior housing project. - Community feedback led to a design adjustment: street walls are …
0:26:30
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61 sec
Charlie Stewart on Landscape and Accessibility Improvements at Jennings Hall
Charlie Stewart details the planned landscape and accessibility enhancements at Jennings Hall. - Upgrades to the interior courtyard to offer more walking paths and seating areas. - Renovation of the …
0:27:34
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45 sec
What is the extent of permanent affordability under the proposed Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) mapping?
All units under the proposed Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) mapping will be permanently affordable to individuals 62 years or older, earning 60% of AMI or less. - Frank Lang, Deputy …
0:28:23
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67 sec
How are noise and dust impacts being minimized during construction in residential complexes?
St. Nicks Alliance is implementing a plan to minimize the negative impact of noise and dust on residents during construction. - A plan of action focusing on safety and accessibility …
0:29:30
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71 sec
What is the expected duration of the construction project?
The construction project is expected to take 24 months. - Council Member Kevin C. Riley asks about the project's duration. - Charlie Stewart, Assistant Director of Real Estate Development at …
0:30:43
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5 sec
What type of business is planned for the ground floor retail space, and how adaptable is the layout?
St. Nicks Alliance currently does not have specific plans for the ground floor retail space due to the changing nature of retail. - The retail space is about 5000 square …
0:30:50
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30 sec
Richard Lobel on the Proposed Rezoning at 2117 37th Avenue in Long Island City, Queens
Richard Lobel presents a case for rezoning 2117 37th Avenue, aiming to replace current M11 zoning with M15 to allow construction of a seven-story mixed-use building. - The proposed building …
0:34:00
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6 min
How are conflicts between manufacturing and commercial uses addressed in the development?
Structural and operational strategies are implemented to prevent conflicts between manufacturing and commercial uses in the proposed development. - Separate entrances and elevator banks are designed for manufacturing spaces and …
0:40:09
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45 sec
Jerry Johnson and Eric Knowles from Fox Rothschild on the Rezoning of East 94th Street for a Mixed-Use Development
Jerry Johnson and Eric Knowles discuss the proposal for rezoning East 94th Street in Manhattan to construct a mixed-use building with approximately 450 housing units, 113 of which will be …
0:46:09
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8 min
What is the precedent for rezoning adjacent lots in the neighborhood?
Land Use Attorney Jerry Johnson confirms the commonality of air rights parcels and highlights the benefits of the rezoning proposal. - Air rights parcels are common in the area and …
0:55:11
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59 sec
What are the commitments to affordability and sustainable design in the proposed rezoning?
The developers are currently committed to 25% affordability and are considering sustainable design features for a proposed rezoning and development project. - The developers are actively studying options under Mandatory …
0:56:11
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7 min
Have additional assessments on parking needs been performed since 2019, and what community benefits accompany the proposed rezoning?
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about parking needs assessments post-2019 and community benefits of proposed rezoning, with Jerry Johnson clarifying previous studies and potential for updates. - A 2019 parking …
1:04:02
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109 sec
Christopher Leon Johnson on the Impacts of Rezoning on Local Communities
Christopher Leon Johnson gives testimony on the consequences of rezoning on local communities and the city. - Johnson discusses the potential impacts of rezoning on local communities. - He highlights …
1:06:18
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1 sec
Eric Knowles, Land Use Attorney, Fox Rothschild on Land Use and Rezoning
Eric Knowles, a Land Use Attorney from Fox Rothschild, provides testimony on land use and rezoning. - The testimony covers various aspects of land use and rezoning. - Eric offers …
1:06:19
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1 sec
Leo Schaff, Yorkville Resident, on the Rushed Approval Process of the East 94th Street Rezoning Proposal
Leo Schaff, a longtime Yorkville resident, criticizes the rushed approval process of the East 94th Street rezoning proposal, emphasizing insufficient affordable housing and lack of thorough review. - Schaff argues …
1:06:21
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4 min
Joe Hochberg, Yorkville Resident, on the East 94th Street Rezoning Proposal
Joe Hochberg, a resident of Yorkville, prepares to give testimony on his opposition to the East 94th Street Rezoning Proposal to the NYC City Council. - Hochberg is introduced by …
1:10:46
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12 sec
Joe Hockberg on the Proposed Development Site's Negative Impacts in Yorkville
Joe Hockberg, a Yorkville resident, testifies against the proposed development site, emphasizing its adverse effects on the community. - Hockberg argues that the rezoning and development plan fails to align …
1:11:00
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146 sec
Elizabeth Rose, Member of Community Board 8, on Concerns About a Development Proposal's Impact on the Upper East Side
Elizabeth Rose, speaking as a member of Community Board 8, expresses conditional approval for a development proposal emphasizing zoning concerns and the proposal's incompatibility with the Upper East Side's character. …
1:13:50
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174 sec
Valerie Mason, Chair of Community Board 8, on Conditional Approval and Concerns Regarding a Proposed Building Development
Valerie Mason, Chair of Community Board 8, presents the board's conditional approval of a proposed building development, focusing on community concerns about building height, affordability, and loss of parking spaces. …
1:17:35
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145 sec
Joseph Hopkins on Concerns Regarding Parking Garage Removal and Fire Department Access for a High-Rise Building
Joseph Hopkins speaks on the impacts of removing a critical parking garage for disabled individuals and concerns regarding fire department access to a high-rise building. - Highlights the necessity of …
1:20:11
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126 sec
Ben Wetzler on Support for Zoning Change and Affordable Housing Project in New York City
Ben Wetzler voices support for a zoning change and affordable housing project, emphasizing its benefits for the New York City community. - Wetzler supports the proposed zoning change and the …
1:22:32
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142 sec
Michael Beacham, Yorkville Resident, on the Planned Development's Impact on Green Spaces and Community Facilities
Michael Beacham discusses the adverse effects of a proposed Yorkville development on green spaces and community facilities, impacting children and a local mosque. - Beacham, a Yorkville resident for nearly …
1:25:27
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109 sec
Lo van der Volk, President of Carnegie Hill Neighbors, on Proposed Development's Violation of Community Planning Principles
Lo van der Volk discusses the proposed development's disregard for New York City's traditional city planning principles and its impact on the community. - Van der Volk represents Carnegie Hill …
1:27:38
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139 sec
Kevin Elkins, Union Representative for the New York City District Council of Carpenters, on Rezoning Impacting Construction Workers' Standards and Rights
Kevin Elkins testifies on the rezoning in Council Member Julian Mann's district, raising concerns over construction standards and workers' rights. - Elkins represents the New York City District Council of …
1:30:34
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86 sec
Andrew Ellis, Yorkville Resident, on Opposition to Development Proposal Zoning
Andrew Ellis opposes the current rezoning proposal for a 484-foot luxury rental tower in Yorkville, deeming it a poor deal for affordable housing and neighborhood character. - Ellis supports lot …
1:32:06
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150 sec
Jeffrey Glave, Yorkville Resident, on the Developer's Ignored Concerns for the Community Board 8
Jeffrey Glave criticizes a developer for ignoring community concerns during a city council meeting. - Glave has lived in Yorkville for 45 years and expresses concern about a development in …
1:34:45
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55 sec
Sarah Penenberg, Political Coordinator, SEIU 32BJ on Employment Standards and Support for 231 East 94th Street Project
Sarah Penenberg, representing SEIU 32BJ, advocates for the support of a project at 231 East 94th Street, emphasizing the union's commitment to high employment standards and the creation of good, …
1:38:34
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55 sec
Jane Lindbergh, Yorkville Resident, on Rezoning and Affordable Housing Concerns
Jane Lindbergh critiques a proposed rezoning due to its inadequate contribution to affordable housing. - Lindbergh, a Yorkville resident for 44 years, voices her opposition to the rezoning, emphasizing the …
1:39:35
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121 sec
