Justin Jarboe on building details, unit mix, and parking provision
Jarboe describes the proposed seven-story, 53,000-square-foot building with 7,000 square feet of retail and 46,000 residential, totaling 54 units with 19 parking spaces. The unit mix emphasizes two- and three-bedroom units (65% of total) in response to community and council member concerns. 25% or 14 units would be permanently affordable under MIH option one.
The development site is approximately 150 feet deep by 150 feet of frontage along Fresh Pond Road, just under 15,000 square feet in area.
It was previously developed with two commercial buildings, both of which have been demolished.
The proposed rezoning to the R6A district is generally considered a modest residential zoning district, which under the recently enacted City of Yes regulations has a permitted FAR of 3.9, of which 25 to 30%
would be required as affordable under the MIH program under options one or two.
I'll note that a portion of the site being the last 25 feet along Bleeker Street, so the on the left hand side in the image,
would remain in the existing R5B zoning district and would be subject to the R5B regulations with reduced floor area and height allowances.
The plans provided as part of the application show a seven-story building, again with 53,000 square feet in area, consisting of 7,000 square feet of retail
on the first floor and the remaining 46,000 square feet of residential floor area on floors two through seven, a total of 54 dwelling units with parking for 19 cars.
If you can go to slide seven, please.
With regard to the unit count, the plans reflect no studio units and a large number of two and three bedroom units, 35 of the 54 units, or 65% of the total unit mix.
Providing larger units and providing parking where none is currently required represents the owner's response to concerns that were originally heard from the community, as well as from former Councilmember Holden and as well as current Councilmember Wong.
In compliance with the MIH text change, it is anticipated that 25% or 14 units would be permanently affordable under option one of the program.
If you can go to the next slide, please.
In that regard, we note that Community Board 5 of Queens is currently anticipated to be on the list of the 12
community districts with the lowest creation of affordable housing, and thus applications such as this would be eligible for the Affordable Housing Fast Track application process, which commences in January of 2027.
If you can go to slide 18, please.