Skip to content
Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

Independent project. Not affiliated with the New York City Council.

Created by Uzair Qadir

Inspired by Vikram Oberoi's City Meetings

Procedure

Public testimony instructions for 158-06 Northern Boulevard

New York City Council · Aug 12, 2026 · starts 1:08:28 · 1 min 39 sec

Council staff announces four in-person witnesses and one online witness, explaining panel procedures, two-minute time limits, and instructions to wait for the sergeant at arms to start the clock before speaking.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Apologies if I missed it.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

The intended height of this building?

Shanel Thomas-Henry

The intended height of this building is only 10 stories.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

However, the R7A envelope would allow an 11-story building.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

By virtue of the site being a corner lot, we can build a lower, more efficient building in consideration of some of the concerns relating to height.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

How many parking spaces will there be?

Shanel Thomas-Henry

26.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

And the proposed rezoning area is L-shaped, including two lots on Northern Boulevard and a third lot occupied by the Islamic Center on 159th Street.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Like Northern Boulevard, 159th Street is a narrow street that terminates at the LIRR right-of-way one block south.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Can you explain the planning rationale for including this third site within the rezoning area?

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Absolutely.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Really, the thinking was that, again, this...

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Eastern portion of the block and then the western side of 159th Street has historically been non-residential.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

That Galaxy Plaza shopping center wraps a significant portion of the block.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

And then the Islamic Center, I think that site has historically been a house of worship.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Immediately to the south, the two feeder roads and the Long Island Railroad effectively create a wide street condition similar to the Northern Boulevard on the north.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

And that side of the block also faces an entirely commercial or commercial and community facility block across 159th Street.