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New York City Council
Zoning, 164th Street Rezoning, Queens (C 250290 ZMQ)
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff opens the meeting, reminds attendees to silence devices and not approach the dais, and Chair Farah N. Louis calls the subcommittee to order, introducing the members present.
Chair Louis describes the first vote on LUs 98 and 99, a rezoning in Councilmember Hanks' district for a mixed-use residential project in St. George, Staten Island, with 118 apartments and up to 35 permanently affordable units, involving a zoning map amendment and MIH text amendment.
Councilmember Kamillah Hanks speaks in support of the Richmond Terrace project, emphasizing workforce housing, proximity to transit, enhanced stormwater management, and the need for affordable housing to keep Staten Islanders on the North Shore.
Chair Louis describes the second vote on LUs 94 and 95, a rezoning in Councilmember Gennaro's district for a mixed-use project in Hillcrest, Queens, with approximately 80 apartments and up to 24 permanently affordable units, involving a zoning map amendment from R3-2 to R6A and an MIH text amendment.
Chair Louis describes the third vote on LUs 96 and 97, a rezoning in Councilmember Thomas-Henry's district for two mixed-use projects in South Corona with 196 apartments and 49 affordable units. Two modifications are recommended: reducing the rezoning area to address displacement concerns and removing MIH Option 2.
Councilmember Shanel Thomas-Henry thanks land use staff, community members, and the applicant, highlighting the modifications that ensure more genuinely affordable family-sized units, MWBE inclusion, local union opportunities, and stewardship of a local park.
Chair Louis describes the fourth vote on LUs 108 and 109, a rezoning in Councilmember Osei's district for a mixed-use affordable senior housing project in Bed-Stuy with 144 apartments and 43 permanently affordable units, involving a zoning map amendment from R6A to R7X and an MIH text amendment.
Chair Louis describes the fifth vote on LUs 100-103, a rezoning in Councilmember Santos-Soslo's district for a mixed-use affordable housing project in Coney Island with 408 apartments and 122 permanently affordable units, involving a zoning map amendment, MIH text amendment, and two special permits for bulk waivers and parking reduction.
Chair Louis describes the sixth vote on LUs 104 and 105, a rezoning in Councilmember Wong's district for a mixed-use project in Ridgewood with 54 apartments and 14 affordable units. A modification is recommended to remove MIH Option 2, ensuring affordability at an average of 60% AMI.
Chair Louis describes the final vote on LUs 106 and 107, a rezoning in Councilmember Farías' district for a mixed-use affordable housing project in Union Port, Bronx, with 104 apartments and 37 permanently affordable units, involving a zoning map amendment from R5 to R7A and an MIH text amendment.
Councilmember Amanda Farías speaks at length in support of the Pugsley Avenue project, highlighting 104 affordable homes, family-sized apartments, neighborhood retail, parking, and a fresh green market addressing food deserts in District 18. She emphasizes the intersection of housing affordability and food access.
Councilmember Simcha Felder remarks on the Bedford Avenue rezoning, noting it involves a Muslim house of prayer with senior housing and a children's area, calling it a wonderful project and expressing delight it is before the subcommittee.
Chair Louis calls for a combined vote to approve with modifications LUs 96/97 and 104/105, and to approve LUs 94/95, 98/99, 100-103, 106/107, and 108/109, then asks staff to call the roll.
All nine subcommittee members—Louis, Farías, Schulman, Salaam, Felder, Encarnación, Sanchez, Thomas-Henry, and Carr—vote aye on all items. Sanchez congratulates Farías on her project.
Council staff announces the vote result of nine affirmative, zero opposing, and zero abstentions. All items are approved as described and referred to the full Land Use Committee. Chair Louis adjourns the meeting.