Queens Lawmakers on the Move Nov. 12, 2020

Queens County City Council News

BP Lee Holds Land Use Hearing

Acting Borough President Sharon Lee.

Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee will hold a regular Public Hearing on Land Use on Thursday. 

The agenda includes four items. Items one and two are related and items three and four are related.

1. Application filed by Vlacich LLC to make the following amendments to the Zoning Map within Queens Community Board District 1: a.) establishing within an R5 District a C1-2 District bounded by 42nd Street, a line 150 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, 43rd Street, a line 100 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, a line midway between 42nd Street and 43rd Street, and a line 125 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue; b.) changing from an R5 District to an R6A District property bounded by 41st Street, a line 100 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, 42nd Street, a line 125 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, a line midway between 42nd Street and 43rd Street, a line 100 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, 43rd Street, and 28th Avenue; c.) establishing within the proposed R6A District a C1-2 District bounded by 42nd Street, a line 125 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, a line midway between 42nd Street and 43rd Street, a line 100 feet northeasterly of 28th Avenue, 43rd Street, and 28th Avenue.

2. Application filed by Vlacich LLC to amend the New York City Zoning Resolution by establishing and mapping the area to be rezoned as a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area in Queens Community District 1 in Astoria.

3. Application submitted by RXR 42-11 9th Holdings LLC for the grant of a special permit to allow an increase in the maximum permitted floor area and, in conjunction therewith, to modify the quantity and size of the loading requirements in connection with a proposed twenty-story commercial building within an Industrial Business Incentive Area in an M1-4 District within Queens Community District 2.  Address of location is 42-11 9th Street in Long Island City.

4. Application submitted by RXR 42-11 9th Holdings LLC for a Zoning Text Amendment to designate the Project Area as a new Industrial Business Incentive Area 2 within Queens Community District 2. Address of location is 42-11 9th Street in Long Island City.

Those who wish to testify may pre-register for speaking time by visiting the Queens Borough President website and submitting their contact information. Each registrant will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to participate in the live public hearing. Speaking time can also be arranged by calling (718) 286-3000 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. prior to the date of the hearing.

Written testimony is welcome from those unable to testify live. All written testimony must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2020 and may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] or by conventional mail sent to the Office of the Queens Borough President at 120-55 Queens Boulevard – Room 226, Kew Gardens, NY 11424.

The Public Hearing on Land Use will be held on Thursday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Miller Hosts Joint Hearing on CUNY Adjuncts 

Councilmember I. Daneek Miller

City Councilmember I. Daneek Miller (D-Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, and Springfield Gardens), Civil Service & Labor Committee Chair, is hosting a joint oversight hearing with City Councilmember Inez Barron (D-Brooklyn), Higher Education Committee Chair, on CUNY adjuncts, with particular focus on the impact that COVID-19 and related budget cuts and layoffs have had since the Committees’ January 2020 hearing.

The virtual hearing will be held on Thursday, November 12 at 10 a.m. in Virtual Room 1.

Grodenchik Mourns Robert “Bob” Harris

City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik

City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, Queens Village) released a statement on Wednesday about the passing of Robert “Bob” Harris:

“I extend my deepest condolences to Edna, her family, and the entire community on the passing of Robert “Bob” Harris. I have known Bob and Edna since I started working in local government over three decades ago, and I found him to be among the kindest and most respectful community leaders. He knew how to speak up for his beloved Fresh Meadows neighborhood in a way that made others listen, and he was by nature positive, collaborative, and solution-oriented.

For decades, Bob was one of the preeminent civic leaders in Queens County. He served as the longtime president of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association, and, at the time of his death, was still an active member of Queens Community Board 8. Bob was also one of the founders of Queens Civic Congress, a group that has consistently brought civic leaders from across the borough together to advocate on issues of mutual concern. Bob was a leader at Hillcrest Jewish Center and proud of his faith. After retiring from his teaching career, Bob continued to work with local schools, including helping Martin Van Buren High School with its recent turnaround.