In the final months of the Adams administration, these rezonings are heading to the finish line.
The rezoning of some 230 blocks in Jamaica, Queens, is slated for a final City Council vote this month. Last week, the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and the Committee on Land Use approved the rezoning with a few changes.
Those changes shaved 490 units off the city’s housing projections for the rezoning. Instead of 12,300 units, the rezoning is expected to pave the way for roughly 11,800 units.
The modifications included reducing the density allowed in areas south of downtown Jamaica, as well as removing “limited portions” of certain districts along the southern corridor from the rezoning.
The changes, explained Council member Kevin Riley, who chairs the zoning subcommittee, are aimed at creating a transition from the higher densities downtown to the residential areas to the south, “where there are blocks of occupied homes and less access to transit.”
The Adams administration also committed to providing $413 million for infrastructure, parks, schools and other improvements. That’s in addition to more than $300 million promised as part of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.
The City Council is also expected to vote this month on the rezoning of 50-plus blocks in Long Island City, though local Council member Julie Won hasn’t publicly committed to supporting the rezoning, calling for deeper affordability and investments for infrastructure improvements.
Those rezonings, assuming they are approved, will close out five neighborhood rezonings completed by the Adams administration. Meanwhile, some other major initiatives, such as a text amendment that would require special permits for most last-mile facilities and the Manhattan Plan, will be left to the next mayor (should the next mayor choose to pick them up).
What we’re thinking about: Reporters got a somewhat unusual email today: James Felton Keith, who is planning to challenge Rep. Adriano Espaillat for his seat in New York’s 13th district, says he met with developer Bruce Teitelbaum, who committed to building a 100 percent affordable building as part of One45 in Harlem. This isn’t new: Teitelbaum already agreed to increase the amount of affordable housing in the project if the city and/or state provide additional subsidies. Keith is calling on the mayoral candidates to commit to financing this affordable housing. Will the next mayor provide funding for One45? Send a note to kathryn@therealdeal.com.
A thing we’ve learned: “Chi Ossé and the People’s Fight to End Forced Broker Fees,” a short documentary by ABC Localish’s Cameron Covell, won a New York Emmy this weekend. The video details the passage of the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act last year, from Ossé’s perspective.
Elsewhere in New York…
— If contract negotiations stall, Broadway musicians are prepared to strike, Gothamist reports. The union that represents the musicians, Local 802 AFM, authorized a strike on Sunday night, meaning that a strike could take place if the union and Broadway League are unable to reach an agreement. Musicians are seeking higher wages, better health care coverage and layoff protections, according to Gothamist. Meanwhile, Broadway actors and stage managers have also threatened to strike if they cannot agree on terms for a new contract with the Broadway League.
— A 76-year-old woman was killed in Brooklyn on Sunday by an airborne solar panel on Monday in Brooklyn, CBS News reports. Video of the incident shows strong winds carrying a solar panel from a parking lot structure and falling onto the woman’s head.
— The state Assembly this month will hold a hearing to examine why more upstate localities haven’t adopted rent stabilization. “I want to gauge how strong it is, and whether there are things that would make it easier for localities to accept,” Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, who chairs the Housing Committee, told the Times Union.
Closing Time
Due to the holiday on Monday, no closings were recorded. Check back Tuesday for information on the latest deals.
