http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#2185 Sections of Queens will feature more prominently one-and two-family detached homes after the City Council voted unanimously to bring sections of Queensboro Hill, Cedar Grove, Flushing-on-the-Hill, and Kissena Heights from a higher density residential category to a lower one. The new regulations, which change the neighborhood zoning from R4 to R3X and R4A, will provide for lower densities and more single-family residences. The final plan approved by the Council was a compromise of an original proposal by Queens Community Board 7 and Borough President Helen Marshall that called for only single-family residences. Council Member John Liu praised the rezoning for protecting the integrity of the low-density residential neighborhoods of Queensboro Hill. 2007-03-09 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#1732 City Councilmember, David Weprin, aided by community leaders, has drafted a new zoning classification, R2N, to implement narrow-lot contextual zoning for single-family homes on lots less that 40-feet wide. The proposal attempts to slow the spread of large, multi-family homes, known as “McMansions,” that surround smaller ones. Weprin has also drafted a City Council resolution for the Department of City Planning to implement the proposal. 2006-11-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#956 The Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association is pushing for landmark status of its neighborhood. If granted, and changes will require approval by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission. The local community board recently OK'd the landmark proposal 33-0. 2006-04-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#471 On the topic of rezoning as a planning tool -- particularly in light of recent neighborhood downzoning proposals -- Tom Angotti writes, "the real problem with downzoning to stop overdevelopment, or upzoning to encourage development, is that they both avoid any serious planning...They don’t allow local residents and businesses to address serious concerns they have with everything from housing needs to traffic, because zoning regulations are limited to use and density controls." 2005-10-18 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#447 Since 2002, downzonings for about 3,600 blocks have been approved or are under review. While downzoning may help "preserve neighborhood character," does it undermine efforts to add affordable housing to the city? 2005-10-10 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#370 On May 11th, the City Council unanimously approved downzoning a 40-block area of the Kissena Park area of Flushing. The area was previously zoned R3-2, which allowed for multifamily apartment buildings. The new zoning designations limit new development to detached one- and two-family houses. The fate of 2 two-family houses that do not comply with the new zoning is undetermined. The developer rushed to pour their foundations before the zoning was approved in order to grandfather the structures, but appears to have failed. 2005-05-19 18:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#123 Queens Community Board 7 gave a resounding yes to the long-awaited Kissena Park rezoning plan that aims to keep the unique character of the neighborhood intact. 2005-02-18 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#307 After 20 years of nudging and 4 years of intensive work, members of the Kissena Park Civic Association unveiled its completed plan to rezone 40 blocks in the Flushing neighborhood. It is expected to be easily approved within six months. The area of approximately 200 houses, is currently zoned R3-2, which permits multi-family apartment buildings in addition to single and two-family dwellings. The new zoning, R2, R3A and R3X, will limit new development to only detached one- and two-family houses. 2004-12-16 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=10#308 Some Kissena Park, Queens homeowners say a developer, City Success Corporation, is trying to buy them out by creating fear about dropping property values once their property is rezoned. City councilman, David Weprin, wants to make such tactics illegal. He says City Success did not violate any laws, but he calls the company's tactics unethical. He plans to introduce legislation to make such tactics, called "block busting," illegal. 2004-11-15 00:00:00