Opposition to City of Yes Housing Component in Northeast Queens
Rallying Against the Plan
Homeowners in northeast Queens continued to express opposition to the City of Yes housing component on Monday evening. Over 100 local homeowners rallied with signs on 212th Street and 38th Avenue in the Bellcourt section of Bayside, where a residential street was closed to accommodate the substantial crowd of local residents, including some who traveled from southeast Queens to protest the initiative.
Elected Officials Join the Opposition
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein, who represents Bayside, was joined by other state leaders, city council members, community board members, and Queens civic associations to voice their opposition to the plan. Braunstein stated that the proposed changes would result in a significant increase in density, causing overcrowding and parking issues in the community.
Concerns Over Zoning and Character of Neighborhoods
Residents expressed concerns over the zoning changes and how they would alter the character of their neighborhoods. Assembly Member Braunstein stated, "We’ve chosen this neighborhood to illustrate the problem. We know that our neighborhoods can’t handle this increase in density… Can you imagine on every corner, we’re going to have a 3-story apartment building. And then every single house here will have an 800-square-unit mini house built in their yard. Can you imagine what the parking would be like in this community if we more than doubled the amount of people living on every block."
The Plan’s Key Components
The City Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the plan on September 25. The plan seeks to build "a little more housing in every neighborhood" by reducing zoning restrictions, allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be added to existing properties, eliminating parking mandates for new construction, and prioritizing building around train stations.
The Battle Over Rezoning
This is not the first time that residents in the area have had to fight against rezoning. In 2005, the neighborhood was rezoned, allowing for the construction of apartment buildings. Longtime residents are now facing a similar fight against rezoning, with concerns over the character of their neighborhoods and the impact on property values.
Community Feedback
The City Planning Commission has presented the plan to every community board earlier in the year, with 12 out of 14 boards in Queens voting against it. Community leaders, including Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, stated that the plan is a "sledgehammer solution" that requires a "scalpel" approach to meet the needs of different neighborhoods.
Conclusion
The opposition to the City of Yes housing component is widespread in northeast Queens, with concerns over the impact on neighborhoods, property values, and the character of the community. As the plan heads to the City Planning Commission for a vote on September 25, it is clear that the battle over rezoning is far from over.
FAQs
Q: What is the City of Yes housing component?
A: The City of Yes housing component is a plan to build "a little more housing in every neighborhood" by reducing zoning restrictions.
Q: What are the key components of the plan?
A: The plan includes the allowance of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the elimination of parking mandates for new construction, and prioritizing building around train stations.
Q: What is the reaction to the plan from residents in northeast Queens?
A: Residents in northeast Queens have expressed strong opposition to the plan, citing concerns over the impact on neighborhoods, property values, and the character of the community.
Q: What is the plan’s schedule for a vote?
A: The plan is scheduled to go to the City Planning Commission for a vote on September 25, followed by a 50-day modification period before the full city council puts the proposal up for a vote.
