New York City Council
Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises
Jan 29, 2025
·
11:30 AM
53 min
Summary
A meeting with land use votes and public hearings. The committee approved with modifications two rezoning proposals:
- 2185 Coyle Street in Brooklyn (over 400 apartments, 20-25% affordable)
- 438 Concord Avenue in the Bronx (87 apartments, 24 affordable).
Public hearings were held on:
- A proposal to demap and sell city-owned land at 49-39 Van Dam Street in Queens
- A rezoning proposal for 122-03 14th Avenue in Queens for a 94-unit residential building (28 affordable units).
Features testimony from applicants, community board representatives, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Kevin Riley introduces the subcommittee meeting and agenda
Council Member Kevin Riley opens the meeting of the subcommittee on zoning and franchises, introducing himself as the chair and listing the council members present. He outlines the agenda for …
0:00:33
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56 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley explains meeting procedures for hybrid format
Council Member Kevin Riley details the procedures for the hybrid meeting format, covering both in-person and remote participation. He explains how members of the public can testify and submit written …
0:01:29
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125 sec
Overview of 2185 Coyle Street rezoning proposal and recommended modifications
Council Member Kevin Riley presents an overview of the 2185 Coyle Street rezoning proposal in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, including the proposed development details and recommended modifications to the plan. - …
0:03:37
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129 sec
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse remarks on zoning modification for housing development
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse expresses support for a modified zoning proposal that allows for a nine-story development with over 400 housing units and a supermarket. She emphasizes the need to …
0:05:49
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146 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley explains proposal for mixed-use residential development in the South Bronx
Council Member Kevin Riley presents details of a proposal for a mixed-use residential development in the South Bronx, including zoning changes and affordable housing requirements. He explains the recommended modifications …
0:08:16
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63 sec
Vote outcome on land use items
The subcommittee approved the land use items with modifications as described by the chair. The vote tally was as follows: - Yeas: 7 - Nays: 0 - Abstentions: 0 All …
0:10:15
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13 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley opens public hearing on Van Dam Street demapping proposal
Council Member Kevin Riley opens a public hearing on the 49-39 Van Dam Street demapping proposal in Council Member Juan's district. He explains the proposal's aim to demap and convey …
0:10:28
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50 sec
Council Member Julie Won addresses concerns over demapping DOT-owned property in Long Island City
Council Member Julie Won discusses an application to demap a DOT-owned property at 49-39 Van Dam Street in Long Island City, highlighting community concerns and potential implications of transferring public …
0:11:18
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136 sec
Introduction and background of the land use proposal
Raymond Levin from Herrick Feinstein introduces himself as counsel to the applicant, Steve Barry, who is seeking to purchase an adjacent vacant city-owned lot. This chapter provides context for the …
0:14:24
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18 sec
Location and current state of the city-owned lot
This chapter details the location and current condition of the city-owned lot that Steve Barry seeks to purchase. It describes the lot's position relative to nearby structures and its current …
0:14:45
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130 sec
Proposed plan for the lot and benefits to the city
This chapter outlines the proposed plan for the city-owned lot and the potential benefits to the city if the transfer is approved. It includes details about the restaurant business, environmental …
0:16:58
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95 sec
Council Member Riley questions applicants about safety, noise mitigation, and property history for Van Dam Street proposal
Council Member Kevin Riley engages in a Q&A session with Raymond Levin (attorney from Herrick Feinstein) and Steven Bari (property owner/developer) regarding the Van Dam Street demapping proposal. The discussion …
0:18:40
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3 min
Council member inquires about DOT's responsiveness to maintenance issues
Council Member Julie Won questions the applicant about the Department of Transportation's (DOT) responsiveness to maintenance issues on the site. The applicant, Steven Bari, describes the poor condition of the …
0:22:37
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68 sec
Discussion on DSNY's response to illegal dumping and homeless encampments
Council Member Julie Won inquires about the Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) response to illegal dumping on the site. The applicant, Steven Bari, describes a complex situation involving multiple agencies and …
0:23:45
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74 sec
Inquiry about contacting elected officials for site maintenance assistance
Council Member Julie Won asks the applicant if they have reached out to other elected officials for help with site maintenance. The applicant, Steven Bari, responds by explaining their perspective …
0:25:00
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59 sec
Council member questions applicant's motivation for acquiring the land
Council Member Julie Won expresses confusion about the applicant's logic regarding their desire to acquire the land while not wanting to be involved in its maintenance as a neighbor. She …
0:25:59
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47 sec
Applicants explain motivation for acquiring and demapping the land
Raymond Levin, the attorney for the applicants, explains their motivation for acquiring and demapping the land. He emphasizes that the primary reason is to expand their business and take control …
0:26:46
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118 sec
Applicant outlines business growth and development plans for the site
Steven Bari, the property owner/developer, provides more details about their business plans for the site, focusing on its potential as a restaurant and event space. - Bari mentions the area's …
0:28:45
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43 sec
Council member summarizes community board's stance on public space
Council Member Julie Won summarizes the community board's position on the public space and clarifies the applicant's motivation for acquiring the land. - Won states that the community board wants …
0:29:28
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77 sec
Testimony by Anatole Ashraf, Chair of Queens Community Board Two
Anatole Ashraf, Chair of Queens Community Board Two, testified against the application to demap and convey city-owned land at 49-39 Van Dam Street in Queens. He reiterated the Community Board's …
0:32:24
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132 sec
Testimony by Eric Narburgh, Member of Queens Community Board 2
Eric Narburgh, a member of Queens Community Board 2, testifies in favor of retaining city-owned land as public green space in Council District 26. He emphasizes the district's lack of …
0:34:50
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95 sec
Testimony by Rosamond Gianutsos, First Vice Chair of Queens Community Board Two
Rosamond Gianutsos, a long-time resident and First Vice Chair of Queens Community Board Two, testified against the proposed development. She highlighted concerns about accessibility, lack of public transit, and the …
0:36:29
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128 sec
Council member questions community board chair about project vote and engagement
Council Member Kevin Riley engages in a Q&A session with the chair of Queens Community Board Two, Anatole Ashraf. Riley seeks clarification on the board's vote regarding the project and …
0:38:38
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77 sec
Council Member Won addresses site maintenance and DOT involvement
Council Member Julie Won discusses the community's concerns about the site in question and the process of addressing maintenance issues with the Department of Transportation (DOT). She mentions that while …
0:39:57
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34 sec
Council Member Riley conducts Q&A with community board members
Council Member Kevin Riley engages in a question-and-answer session with community board members, primarily focusing on submitting additional testimony and clarifying procedural matters. - Riley asks about submitting written testimony …
0:40:31
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71 sec
Testimony by Fanny Chang, Member of the Public
Fanny Chang, a long-time user of the Van Dam Street exit, testifies against the proposed demapping and sale of public land adjacent to the exit. She argues that the proposal …
0:41:43
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112 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley opens public hearing on Whitestone rezoning proposal
Council Member Kevin Riley opens a public hearing on LUs 229 and 230, which relate to a rezoning proposal in Whitestone, Queens. He provides details about the proposed residential mixed-use …
0:44:04
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71 sec
Introduction of the project team and representatives
Frank St. Jacques from Akerman LLP introduces himself as the land use counsel for the project. He mentions that the project is a collaboration between two local development firms, Junes …
0:45:51
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16 sec
Location and context of the College Point rezoning area
The rezoning area is located in College Point, on the north side of Fourteenth Avenue between College Point Boulevard and 120 Third Street. It sits at the edge of a …
0:46:09
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38 sec
Current land use in the College Point area
The land use map illustrates the transition area from mostly residential to several industrial uses surrounding the rezoning area, with commercial and industrial uses moving south. - The area surrounding …
0:46:47
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16 sec
Proposed rezoning for the College Point site
The proposed rezoning would establish an R6A C2-4 zone, replacing the existing R4A C1-3 zone, and establish a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) area with options 1 and 2. - The …
0:47:06
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28 sec
Details of the proposed mixed-use development
The proposed actions would facilitate the development of a new 6-story mixed-use building with approximately 75,000 square feet of floor area. The building would primarily be residential with some ground …
0:47:36
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25 sec
Illustrative views of the proposed building
The presentation includes illustrative views of the proposed development from different angles. - Views are shown from the west and east sides of the building. - These illustrations help to …
0:48:03
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9 sec
Ground floor plan of the proposed development
The illustrative ground floor plan shows the layout and uses of the building's first floor and basement level. - Commercial space wraps around College Point Boulevard and Fourteenth Avenue. - …
0:48:13
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19 sec
Breakdown of affordable housing units in the project
The presentation provides a breakdown of the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) units in the proposed development. - There will be a total of 28 MIH units in the project. - …
0:48:34
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21 sec
Council Member Kevin Riley questions applicants about 14th Avenue rezoning proposal
Council Member Kevin Riley conducts a Q&A session with the applicants of the 14th Avenue rezoning proposal in Queens. He inquires about the breakdown of market-rate and affordable units, unit …
0:48:58
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3 min