Queens District Chief Donovan Richards Jr. announced on August 26th that he is proposing to “conditionally” approve the zoning text amendment for the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” by the New York City Planning Department.
District Chief Richards stated in his proposal that, “Queens and the city of New York as a whole are facing a housing and affordability crisis unprecedented in generations… It is abundantly clear that the only realistic solution to address these crises is to rapidly and strategically build more affordable housing.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing the significant concerns raised by all community boards regarding the potential impacts of the zoning text amendment on Queens’ infrastructure and the balancing act between affordable housing needs.
If the zoning text amendment is approved, it will expand housing opportunities citywide, allowing for the construction of more housing and a broader range of housing types in every neighborhood. The goal of the proposal is to tackle the shortage and high cost of housing in New York City.
Chief Richards heard testimonies from dozens of residents of Queens and the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) at a public hearing held on August 8th, where he also engaged with them through questions.
The specific conditions proposed by Chief Richards include:
(1) The Department of City Planning committing to collaborate with multiple city agencies to assess and publish quarterly public reports on the impacts of increased residential density on local infrastructure, such as school enrollment rates, classroom capacity, hospital bed availability, and municipal service provision within administrative districts.
(2) While parking spaces will remain optional in development projects in central areas like Jamaica, Flushing, and Long Island City, they will still be mandatory in peripheral regions with limited access to transportation.
(3) Enhancing affordability options and promoting greater support for homeownership opportunities.
(4) Establishing a $1 billion fund to support the legalization and compliance of basement apartments, enacting City Council legislation to guide such work, and implementing an amnesty program allowing property owners to legally convert or renovate their basement apartments without penalties.
(5) Eliminating garage apartments or garage conversions from the plan in areas with existing challenges like susceptibility to flooding or aging sewer and power infrastructure.
Following Chief Richards’ conditional approval suggestion, the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” zoning text will be subject to a vote by the New York City Planning Commission, and if approved, it will proceed to a vote by the City Council.