The Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises of the NYC Council convened on February 6, 2024, to discuss several land use applications and proposed rezonings across various districts. The meeting focused on four key proposals, each aimed at addressing housing needs and development in their respective areas.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of land use applications (LUs) 6, 7, and 8 concerning 962 Pacific Avenue. Council Member Hudson recommended approval, emphasizing the importance of the proposal.

Next, the committee moved to the Whitestone Lanes proposal, which involved a rezoning from an M1-1 manufacturing district to an R7A residential district. This change will facilitate the development of a residential building with approximately 415 apartments. The proposal includes mandatory inclusionary housing, requiring about 113 of these units to be affordable. A modification was added to ensure that 20% of the units are affordable for households earning 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below. Council Member Ng expressed support for this rezoning based on the proposed modifications.

The third discussion centered on LUs 3, 4, and 5 related to 22-26 Third Avenue in Council Member Ayala's district. This proposal seeks to convert a 10-story building into a life science center. It involves rezoning part of the site from R7B residential to C4-6 commercial, along with a text amendment to map mandatory inclusionary housing and extend the East Harlem corridor special district to include the proposed center. Additionally, a special permit is requested to reduce the number of required loading berths. Council Member Ayala also supported this rezoning initiative.

Lastly, the committee reviewed LUs 9 and 10 concerning 166-11 91st Street Avenue in Council Member Williams' district. This proposal requests a special permit to waive height requirements for narrow lots in the downtown Jamaica District, allowing for the development of a mixed-use building with 28 apartments. The proposal includes mapping mandatory inclusionary housing over the development site, with Council Member Williams voicing support for the rezoning.

In conclusion, the meeting resulted in a series of approvals aimed at enhancing residential development and affordability across various neighborhoods in New York City. The committee's decisions reflect a commitment to addressing housing challenges while promoting economic growth through strategic zoning changes.