NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.
Created by Uzair Qadir
Inspired by Vikram Oberoi's City Meetings
New York City Council
Landmarks, Queens CD 2 Walk to Park Site Selection/Acquisition, Queens (C 260089 PCQ)
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff starts the Zoom webinar, welcomes attendees to the Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings, Resiliency and Dispositions hearing, and asks attendees to silence devices and not approach the dais.
Chair Christopher Marte introduces himself and notes virtual attendance by Council Members Thomas-Henry and Hanks, and in-person attendance by Council Member Ossé. He explains hybrid format rules for public testimony registration, written testimony submission, and decorum requirements.
Marte formally opens the hearing on LU 114, describing the application by the Department of Parks and Recreation for acquisition and site selection of 21 privately owned sites for future park development in Queens Community District 2, covering Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Blissville, and West Maspeth.
Council staff administers the affirmation to panelists Gabriella Cappo, Julia Dowling, and Colleen Alderson, who each affirm to tell the truth in their testimony.
Colleen Alderson, Chief of Parklands and Real Estate for NYC Parks, introduces the Neighborhood Walk to a Park ULURP application covering Queens CD2, explaining the goal of closing gaps in walk access to public open space. She notes DCAS as co-applicant for the acquisition process.
Alderson describes the multifaceted benefits of urban parks including physical and mental health, stormwater capture, tree canopy, and community cohesion. She explains the Walk to a Park initiative and other efforts like opening schoolyards and NYCHA edge open spaces to close walk gaps.
Alderson discusses challenges to acquiring private open space, including limited vacant land and property owners unable to wait through the ULURP process. She explains the new approach of getting ULURP approval in advance for an underserved district so the city can act quickly when a willing seller emerges. She notes 85% of NYC residents are served but over a million remain unserved, including 26,000 in CD2.
Alderson explains the citywide criteria used to select districts: density of unserved residents, open space ratio, and poverty rate, resulting in 19 districts selected. She notes two ULURP applications were approved last year for Brooklyn CD5 and Queens CD3, and this application covers Queens CD2.
Alderson gives context on Queens CD2, noting the recent Long Island City rezoning and housing growth, and acknowledging the continued dearth of open space. She describes engagement with Community Board 2 about vast needs across the district.
Alderson presents a map showing unserved pink areas in CD2, noting the district is very dense with a population increase over 20 years. The open space ratio is 0.38, one of the lowest in the city, with about 26,000 residents not within walking distance of a park.
Alderson explains primary site criteria: privately owned vacant sites of at least 5,000 square feet with no active development permits and suitability for park development. Seven sites in CD2 met these criteria.
Alderson explains secondary site criteria: non-residential built-upon sites built to 50% or less of zoning capacity, at least 5,000 square feet, no active DOB permits, and buildings not recently improved. Thirty sites across the district met these criteria.
Alderson explains the application includes a 10-year sunset clause for acquisitions, after which a new ULURP could refresh sites if needed. She expresses hope the timeframe will allow realization of new parks in CD2 and concludes the slide presentation.
Marte asks whether acquisitions are voluntary for property owners; Alderson confirms the city seeks willing sellers and notes properties must continue meeting criteria. Marte asks about target acquisitions per year; Alderson says there is no set number but a handful of new parks would be a success, noting the last park in CD2 was Hunters Point South over 10 years ago.
Marte asks what happens if few sites are acquired within 10 years. Alderson says the city would need to file a new ULURP application to refresh sites, and notes other opportunities like a potential new school with a schoolyard from the LIC rezoning could also help.
Marte notes several sites are within Industrial Business Zones and asks whether parks directly benefit industrial areas. Alderson says yes, noting workers and some residents live in those areas and the sites serve a need.
Marte relays Won's question clarifying that the application authorizes acquisition but does not itself trigger acquisition or development. Alderson confirms, explaining the city must engage with property owners, negotiate price, go to contract and closing, then follow the capital process with community engagement on amenities.
Marte asks about Parks' engagement with property owners. Alderson says required letters were sent to all owners, with some feedback including one potentially interested owner on Queens Boulevard whose property is up for sale, and one not interested. She notes the city cannot make an offer until after ULURP approval.
Marte relays Won's concern that the district needs parks now and asks about the plan, timeline, and FY2027 funding for acquisitions. Alderson estimates 6-12 months for acquisition, then 3 years for design and construction, and says Parks has some capital funds and would seek more from OMB and state grants. She confirms about $30 million is set aside.
Marte relays Won's concerns about Sunnyside having only 3 secondary sites and Woodside having 15 sites (12 secondary), asking how Parks will address inequities in Sunnyside and prioritize acquisitions in Woodside. A Parks staff member explains GIS analysis captured all eligible Sunnyside sites and that community board input shaped selections.
Alderson adds that the city applied consistent criteria strictly but built in some flexibility to capture community board needs, allowing secondary sites whose walk shed could cover gap areas. She notes the city is open to continued dialogue with the community board but ULURP approval is required to advance any acquisition.
Marte thanks the panel and excuses them, then asks if any members of the public wish to testify. Council staff indicates Council Member Julie Won is online to testify.
Won testifies that CD2 ranks 57 of 59 community districts in parkland, with only 0.38 acres per 1,000 people and 275 acres short of city goals. She notes Sunnyside and Woodside have the deepest deficits, CD2 is growing rapidly with 40,000 new residents expected, and most pipeline parks are in LIC, failing to address needs elsewhere.
Won states the initiative will have limited impact without targeting neighborhoods needing parks now, especially South Sunnyside and Woodside. She relays Community Board 2's recommendations including baseline capital funding, acknowledging underserved areas remain, integrating park planning with land use changes, and maintaining transparency with regular updates.
Won reiterates that out of 37 sites, only 3 are in Sunnyside and 15 in Woodside, which is still not enough. She emphasizes the need to focus on South Sunnyside where there are zero parks, and thanks Chair Marte.
Marte thanks Won, notes Council Member Avilés has joined, and asks if any other public participants wish to testify. With no further testimony, he closes the public hearing on LU 114 and lays the item over, then adjourns the meeting.