HPD presents three land-use applications for Arverne East project in Queens

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) presented three related land‑use applications for the Arverne East Project in Queens during the council’s land‑use session. The items—numbered 33, 34 and 35 on the land‑use calendar—requested a zoning text and map amendment, designation of an urban development action area, approval of the urban development action area project and disposition of city‑owned property, and two Article XI tax‑exemption requests.

The applications would cover roughly 45 residential units, community facility space, and substantial open space including dune and nature preserves, according to the presentation. A staff member said the package is intended to secure a mix of homeownership and rental housing and described two separate Article XI exemption requests: one connected to the for‑sale portion of the development and one tied to rental units.

Why it matters: the zoning and map amendments and the urban development action area designation are prerequisites for disposing of city‑owned property and for the tax‑exemption requests tied to the project’s financing. Changes to zoning and city property disposition shape what can be built on the site and the mix of uses, and Article XI exemptions affect the project’s tax treatment during development.

Details presented during the meeting emphasized land‑use approvals and project scope. The applications explicitly named land‑use items 33–35. The proposal as described includes a residential component of about 45 units, community facilities, and preservation of dune and other natural areas on the site. Staff emphasized the need to ensure a proportion of units be homeownership rather than all rental; the transcript indicates that ensuring that proportion was part of the amendments and conditions being advanced to the council.

The transcript fragment provided does not record a roll‑call vote or a formal outcome for items 33–35. The session material indicated the council would consider the three related HPD applications during the land‑use session; the provided excerpt does not show whether the council adopted, amended or rejected the items.

Next steps: because the applications include zoning and property disposition requests and tax‑exemption applications, subsequent formal votes or referrals are typically required before development permits or tax benefits are finalized. The excerpt does not specify any deadlines, detailed financing sources, or agency approvals beyond the land‑use items presented.