Residents Rally Against City of Yes Rezoning Proposal
A group of Southeast Queens residents and civic leaders rallied together with a clear message for their elected officials: vote no on the City of Yes rezoning proposal.
Rally and Demands
The homeowners and community organizers gathered at the corner of Sutphin Boulevard and 112 Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 2. Many locals held placards that said, “Just Say ‘No’ to the City of Yes” and “We Need Better Infrastructure Say No to the City of Yes.”
Key speakers included Paul Graziano, an urban planner and outspoken opponent of the City of Yes proposal, Reverend Carlene Thorbs, chairperson of Community Board 12, and members of the 149th St. South Ozone Park Civic Association.
Opposition to the Rezoning Plan
Much of the rally centered on the homeowners reiterating their opposition to the rezoning plan. Many attendees called on their elected officials to stop the plan’s progression and vocalize their support for the local community.
The City of Yes encompasses a vast rezoning plan aimed at adding a little more housing in every neighborhood. It includes legalizing modified garage living spaces, allowing apartments to be built on top of ground-floor commercial buildings, and removing parking mandates for new housing developments.
Concerns and Fears
For months, Southeast Queens residents have voiced concerns that the City of Yes would change the makeup of their primarily one- and two-family home neighborhoods if high-density apartment buildings are introduced. Additionally, homeowners feel that an influx of more residents will put a strain on Southeast Queens’ infrastructure and exacerbate ongoing quality-of-life issues.
Community Board 12’s Position
Thorbs said that 14 out of the 15 community boards in Queens opposed the City of Yes plan, emphasizing that the vote reflects the opposition of the majority of neighborhoods throughout the borough.
“We stood for saving our community and protecting our neighbors and our one or two-family homes. Yes, we want to see everyone have housing, but you can’t do it on our backs,” Thorbs said. “All of this cannot be done in South Jamaica, and there is no way, and it surely can’t be constitutionally correct that our homes should be an option to be taken away so that they can make place for other people coming in who want the American dream, the very dream that we’re living.”
Elected Officials’ Position
A spokesperson from Council Member Nantasha Williams’ office told QNS that the council member has no position on the bill as negotiations are ongoing and that Williams is not in support of the bill in its current form.
Williams said via email that while she commends Mayor Adams and DCP for their leadership regarding the housing crisis, she has concerns about the current version of the City of Yes for Housing Proposal.
City for All Housing Plan
Graziano said he believes the City of Yes is designed to benefit developers.
“This is a plan by developers for developers. To ignore this is to ignore reality. I live up in Flushing, but I know your communities because I helped to rezone your communities 20 years ago,” said Graziano.
Conclusion
The residents of Southeast Queens are opposed to the City of Yes rezoning proposal, citing concerns about the impact it will have on their communities. They are calling on their elected officials to stand with them and reject the proposal. The City for All Housing Plan, developed by Speaker Adrienne Adams, aims to address New Yorkers’ housing challenges and create a more affordable city and stronger neighborhoods.
FAQs
What is the City of Yes rezoning proposal?
The City of Yes is a vast rezoning plan aimed at adding a little more housing in every neighborhood. It includes legalizing modified garage living spaces, allowing apartments to be built on top of ground-floor commercial buildings, and removing parking mandates for new housing developments.
What are the concerns of Southeast Queens residents?
Residents are concerned that the City of Yes will change the makeup of their neighborhoods, leading to high-density apartment buildings and an influx of new residents, which will put a strain on the community’s infrastructure and exacerbate quality-of-life issues.
What is the position of Council Member Nantasha Williams on the City of Yes?
A spokesperson for Williams’ office said she has no position on the bill as negotiations are ongoing and that Williams is not in support of the bill in its current form.
What is the City for All Housing Plan?
The City for All Housing Plan is a plan developed by Speaker Adrienne Adams to address New Yorkers’ housing challenges. It aims to create a more affordable city and stronger neighborhoods by mandating affordable housing in large transit-oriented and town-centered developments, allocating increased funding to the city’s housing programs, and increasing support for tenants’ rights.
What is the next step for the City of Yes rezoning proposal?
The City Council is expected to vote on the proposal before the end of this year. Residents are urging their elected officials to stand with them and reject the proposal.
