PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Zoorob, Resident of Sunnyside Queens, on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
10:02:52
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104 sec
Michael Zoorob, a resident of Sunnyside Queens, testifies in support of the City of Yes proposal, focusing on how current zoning regulations threaten his neighborhood's character and affordability. He argues that the density and walkability of Sunnyside, built in the 1920s, would be impossible under current zoning laws.
- Zoorob's building, a 5-story courtyard apartment with 113 units and 10 businesses, has zero parking spaces, which wouldn't meet current requirements.
- He notes that apartment combinations and renovations are reducing housing availability in the neighborhood.
- Zoorob argues that sustainable growth facilitated by housing abundance is necessary to keep neighborhoods thriving.
Michael Zoorob
10:02:52
Thank you very much.
10:02:53
My name is Michael Zuhrab.
10:02:54
I'm a resident of Sunnyside Queens, and I'm grateful to share why I hope that you will support the city of yes.
10:03:00
I've been reflecting on what to say that you haven't heard already.
10:03:03
Over the last several hours or several years, you've heard about affordability crises, the unprecedented low vacancy rate in New York, overcrowding, displacement, homelessness, all of that.
10:03:13
So here's where I've landed.
10:03:14
I wanna tell you about my neighborhood of sunny side and how it's the current zoning and not the city of yes that threatens it.
10:03:21
Most of the Sunny side was built in the 19 twenties, immediately following the extension of the 7 train.
10:03:27
This was the original TOD or transit oriented and courtyard apartments, attached three story walk ups on small lots centered around the subway.
10:03:35
Under current zoning, my neighborhood cannot be built.
10:03:37
I live in a five story courtyard apartment with a 113 apartment units and 10 businesses.
10:03:43
The building has zero parking spaces, where zoning now requires one parking spot for two apartments plus spaces for the businesses.
10:03:49
You can't fit 60 parking spaces even if you paved over the courtyard.
10:03:53
And it's not just my building.
10:03:54
It's the entire neighborhood.
10:03:56
The walkability and density that already exist in my neighborhood simply could not be built with the current requirements.
10:04:02
But there's a more subtle way the current zoning threatens on your side.
10:04:05
In my building, permits to combine apartments are pulled every year.
10:04:09
The building looks the same from the outside, but fewer people can live there.
10:04:13
And when I walk around the neighborhood, I see 6 unit buildings that have been got renovated.
10:04:17
The buildings look the same, but the rents are not.
10:04:20
Until our city has enough housing, these pressures will impact my neighborhood and others.
10:04:25
Sustainable growth everywhere facilitated by housing abundance is how we keep neighborhoods thriving.
10:04:31
While city of yes is not the whole solution, it's a necessary part of it.
10:04:35
Thank you.
