New York Planning

Welcome to Ultraground. We go to zoning meetings for you.

March 15, 13

• 300-Unit multifamily no-parking permit for deeper affordability

• Queens office extension

• 40 Units for Far Rockaway

• Staten Island townhomes

You saved: 2h 25m

Brooklyn | CD 2

280 Bergen St

Boerum Hill | 300 Units

In December of 2022, the 280 Bergen rezoning brought forth a unique no-parking permit, now entering the community review process. This permit paves the way for the development to be entirely residential and commercial, sans parking spaces. The site's owner, a manufacturing company, sought to explore the potential of increasing residential stock in the Boerum Hill area.

Jay Segal, a distinguished land use attorney with Greenberg Traurig and representative of the owner, informed Ultraground that waiving parking requirements for the development was a community-backed decision. With access to an array of mass transit options, the neighborhood's support was strong. Segal went on to explain that if any concerns arise regarding the impact of parking absence on the community, it would be promptly reintroduced into the project's scope. The team's objective is to present an option that both enriches the community and takes full advantage of the world-class transit system.

Commissioner Benjamin inquired about the advantages of waiving parking requirements in terms of additional housing. The applicant assured that this move would pave the way for deeper affordability. Further commission discussions touched upon the capacity of nearby parking facilities and the commission's authority to partially waive parking requirements. Both were unresolved.

This 238,000 square foot mixed-use development seeks a permit to entirely forgo its mandated parking. The four-building project consolidates 240K SF and 249 units into a 9-story building along Bergen Street. An additional 46 units will land at the corner of 3rd and Bergen, while two townhomes integrate with existing buildings on either end. In response to community input, a setback was incorporated along Nevins Street.

The crux of the matter is that the no-parking approach does not yield more units for the team. Instead, it allows for the deeper affordability for future residents.

Developer: Unselected

Attorney: Greenberg Traurig

Application

Queens | CD 2

23-10 Queens Plaza South

Long Island City

This LIC office project that moved through its planning hearing with no discussion.

Developer: Dynamic Star

Application

Queens | CD 14

25-46 Far Rockaway Blvd

Far Rockaway | 40 Units

Despite Queen's Community Board 14’s issued disapproval, 25-46 Far Rockaway moves through the hearing process.

Developer: Queens Realty Holdings of NY, Ltd.

Application

Staten Island | CD 3

Cole Street Development

Richmond Valley | 27.5 Acres | 105 Units

Rampulla Associates Architects, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness, revised their initial design to respect the wetland and reduce the number of units. The firm used questions raised during the November 28th meeting as the foundation for their updated presentation.

Key inquiries from the November gathering included:

• Can the commission impose additional conservation conditions?

• What is the breakdown of trees to be removed, preserved, and newly planted?

• Do pool installations pose any threats to the surrounding wetlands due to chemical usage?

Dan Garodnick initiated the conversation by inquiring about the streets. Rampulla elucidated that they would be privately owned until the Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection are able to acquire them.

Commissioner Cerulio also posed a question regarding the maintenance of amenities, to which the response indicated that an established Homeowners Association (HOA) would be responsible. Inquiries concerning floodplains were adeptly addressed by the team's engineer.

Architect: Rampulla

Application

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