Queens Fed, State & City Lawmakers Against Sunnyside Yards Project
A bevy of Queens lawmakers represnting Sunnyside including U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, State Sen. Michael Gianaris, Assemblymembers Catherine Nolan, Aravella Simotas, and Brian Barnwell, and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer yesterday issued a joint statement of alarm concerning the city’s redevelopment plan of Sunnyside Yard.
Their joint statement comes as the city announced last week a lead consultant and formed a steering committee on redeveloping the 180-acre Sunnyside Yards.
“We are deeply alarmed by the city’s decision to move forward with plans to build a massive residential and commercial development in Sunnyside Yard without seeking adequate community input or establishing sufficient infrastructure and transit options for local residents who will be impacted by the project,” the lawmakers said in their joint statement.
“If the city accelerates the Sunnyside Yard project without seeking community input, it will only further contribute to the affordability and public transit crises that have created chaos for New Yorkers. We urge the city to cease development of this project until our voices and concerns have been fully considered.”
Nolan Teams Up With Assembly Collegues To Stop Outsized Buildings
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills and Blissville) along with numerous members of the assembly joined together in recent state budget negotiations to stop a plan to eliminate a cap on zoning allowances for building height throughout the state.
The current law limits the floor-to area ratio, (FAR) to no more than 12. The state senate proposed repealing this limit which would allow for localities to pass zoning with even higher limits. An FAR of 12 already would allow for extremely high towers of over 70 stories. Certain portions of Long Island City are now zoned “R10” which would allow for an FAR of 12 if the builder included “affordable housing.”
Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, (D-Manhattan) led the group of over 25 assemblymembers to oppose the repeal of the FAR cap in the budget.
New York City had proposed eliminating the FAR cap in 2017 and Nolan opposed it then.
“I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Assembly to stop any changes to state law that would allow for even larger buildings. This will not add truly affordable housing for our community. The City’s current plans trading greater development for affordable housing does not result in truly affordable units for our local residents, only outsized towers, and I think this would make matters worse,” said Nolan.
“I am committed to fight against this change in state law. New York City’s zoning resolution already allows for large buildings in Long Island City. We have seen what the results have been and there is no need for even taller buildings,” she added.
Sanders to Host Access-A-Ride Info Session
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, South Ozone Park) today will hold an Aceess-A-Ride information session to ensure that the seniors living in his district are able to get around the community as well as throughout the city.
Access-A-Ride provides transportation for people with disabilities, including seniors, whose disability prevents their use of accessible mass transit, public bus, or subway service for some or all of their trips. Access-A-Ride is operated by private carriers under contract to the City.
The info session is slated for between 1-3 p.m., today, May 9 at the Brooks Senior Center, 143-22 109th Avenue in Jamaica. To RSVP call Senator Sanders’ Office at 718-327-7017 or 718-523-3069.
Addabbo Moble Office Hours Coming To Rockaway Beach
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways), in his ongoing effort to reach out to constituents across the district, is inviting everyone to participate tomorrow in his upcoming mobile office hours in Rockaway Beach.
Every year, Addabbo visits libraries in his district to personally assist the residents in his district who may not be able to make into one of his three offices during normal business hours. Residents will be able to meet with Addabbo and speak with him about any issue they may be facing, or a community issue they wish to bring to light.
“For as long as I have been an elected official, I have made it my obligation to make sure I interact with the residents and civic leaders of the communities I represent,” Addabbo said. “I have always urged my constituents to contact me if I can help them in any way, but it is not always easy for some people to do that during normal business hours. My extended office hours are a great way to make sure I am not only reaching as many residents as possible, but also making it more convenient by coming to them. I look forward to another successful round of mobile office hours over the next few months and, as always, encourage those who need assistance to take advantage of these library visits.”
Addabbo moble office hours are from 5:30-7 p.m., tomorrow, May 10 at Queens Library’s Peninsula branch, 92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, in Rockaway Beach.
Additional mobile office hours are being scheduled for future dates and locations throughout the district. For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach Office at 718-738-1111.
