NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Rezoning Plans Designed to Make Rein on New York City Developers’ Parade

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Homes being replaced by larger attached, multiple-unit buildings, which residents say are changing the character of neighborhoods
By Donald Bertrand

Daily News, New York

RISMEDIA, July 22 ? (KRT) ?Queens, N.Y., Borough President Helen Marshall is fast-tracking a favorable recommendation for two rezoning proposals aimed at halting runaway development.

The rezoning plans — one covers 88 blocks in Brookville and the other concerns 28 blocks in Jamaica Hills — are designed to preserve the character of the neighborhoods. In both areas, the predominant housing stock is detached one- and two-family homes.

Marshall held a land-use public hearing on the two items last Thursday. Under the city’s uniform land-use review procedure, Marshall has 30 days in which to issue her recommendation to the City Planning Commission and City Council.

In testimony at that hearing and at similar hearings held by Community Board 13 regarding Brookville and CB 8 for Jamaica Hills, residents spoke of homes being replaced by larger attached, multiple-unit buildings, which they said were changing the character of the two neighborhoods.

The rezoning studies were initiated at the request of local civic groups and area residents in reaction to the increased demolition activity in the areas.

The Brookville rezoning area is just north of Kennedy Airport, flanked on three sides by parkland. Its general boundaries are South Conduit Ave. to the north, Brookville Park and 232nd St. to the east, 149th Ave. and Idlewild Park to the south and Springfield Park and Springfield Blvd. to the west.

The Jamaica Hills rezoning area is just south of St. John’s University and the Grand Central Parkway and immediately west of the Jamaica Estates neighborhood.

Its general boundaries are Grand Central Parkway and 82nd Ave. to the north, Homelawn St. to the east, Hillside Ave. to the south, and 168th and 166th Sts. to the west.

Portions of blocks east of Jamaica High School and 168th St. are developed with six-story, prewar apartment buildings. These parcels will not be rezoned as part of this action.

The proposed zoning changes would be the first in the area since 1961, if they go through.

Marshall’s zoning task force, with support from the City Planning Commission, reviewed the areas as the studies progressed.

“People come to Queens, especially, for its unique neighborhoods and the chance to live in a house on a tree-lined street with front lawns and backyards for their kids,” the borough president said. “My Queens zoning task force is working very hard to preserve our low-density neighborhoods.

Other parts of Queens are appropriate for multifamily dwellings and apartment buildings, Marshall said.

The City Planning Commission will hold public hearings at a date to be scheduled during the next 60 days.

The City Council will then have 50 days from receipt of the commission report to hold its hearing and vote on the proposal.

? 2004, Daily News, New York. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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