PHOTO: Borough President Melinda Katz issued recommendations to disapprove two zoning text amendments proposed earlier this year by the Department of City Planning. Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Queens Borough President
Citing concerns over the affect the proposals would have on seniors and parking, among other issues, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz this week rejected the Zoning for Quality and Affordability, and the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing zoning text amendments, joining the majority of the Borough Board, which voted 12-2 to disapprove the city’s plan two weeks ago.
In her recommendations, Katz said she was most apprehensive about the impermanence of senior affordable housing, the effect of eliminating parking for residents in a transit desert like Queens, the scores of extensive contextual rezonings previously issued throughout the five boroughs, and the insufficiencies in skilled labor commitments.
“This is not about whether one is for or against affordable housing,” Katz noted. “Everyone shares the goals and recognizes the need to aggressively expand affordable housing stock to meet the ever-growing demand. When we do, however, it must be done right. The breadth of neighborhoods in a city like New York requires far more nuanced and strategically planned rezonings instead of a wholesale ‘one size fits all’ approach. I was proud to be a part of creating thousands of units of affordable housing in the City Council and look forward to continuing that goal.”
Katz added, “There is concern that affordable independent senior housing in this set of proposals would not be permanently affordable. Also, given the implications in scale and scope by the proposed rezonings, skilled labor commitments would assure quality, durability and safety of the construction. Both pointed oversights have remained unaddressed.
“Further, in a transit desert like Queens where subways reach only a third of the borough, there must be the same mandate to build parking as there is for market housing,” Katz continued. “In the borough of families, we must ensure that working families are able to get to their jobs, and that elders are able to lead dignified, productive and active lives. We need to continue to allow for access to parking for all constituencies.”
Both proposals were prepared by the Department of City Planning and have already undergone the public review process by the borough’s community boards.
“I support the borough president’s recommendations to disapprove both proposals,” said Betty Braton, chairwoman of Community Board 10.
DCP spokesman Joe Marvilli thanked Katz for her support and constructive criticism, while also underscoring the significance of the amendments and their role in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan.
“As Borough President Katz indicated, this administration is focused on increasing the availability of affordable housing to meet our current housing crisis,” Marvilli noted. “Our zoning text amendments are important tools in the larger plan to meet the Mayor’s goal of creating or preserving 200,000 units of affordable housing over 10 years. We appreciate the Borough President’s thoughtful attention to the concerns of communities in Queens. These recommendations will help inform the remainder of the public review process for these proposals at the City Planning Commission and City Council.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
