Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer seeks R7A rezoning and MIH for two-building project at 5020 108th Street in Queens
Summary
An applicant seeking a zoning map change from R6B to R7A and the application of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) proposed two mixed-use residential buildings totaling about 196 units (49 income-restricted) at 5020 108th Street; the Queens Borough President’s land-use hearing drew questions but no public testimony.
A developer seeking to rezone 5020 108th Street told a Queens Borough President land-use hearing the project would create two new residential buildings totaling roughly 196 apartments, 49 of which would be permanently income-restricted under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH). Frank St. of Acresman LLP, representing the applicant Federici Builders Corporation, described the project and answered questions from the planning director who chaired the hearing, Vicky Garvey.
The applicant asked the Department of City Planning for a zoning map amendment to change the current R6B/C23 designations to R7A (and C23 to C24 where applicable) to allow greater residential density and building height. Frank St. said the two proposed buildings would together total about 216,000 square feet (roughly 184,000 square feet residential), with roughly 15,000 square feet of commercial space, about 17,000 square feet of community facility space and 95 garage parking spaces across both buildings.
The applicant described site one (the larger southern parcel) as an eight-story mixed-use building with stepped massing and ground-floor retail along the southern frontage; site two (the smaller corner lot, currently a lumber yard) would be a seven-story building with community facility space rather than retail. The proposal would apply MIH Option 1 as filed, which the applicant said would require approximately 25% of residential floor area to be permanently income-restricted; the MIH breakdown offered by the applicant was 20 units at 40% AMI, 9 at 60% AMI and 20 at 80% AMI.
Garvey pressed the applicant about the project’s racial-equity analysis and the community board’s position. Frank St. said the racial equity report is ‘‘data-heavy’’ and is intended to inform decision-makers; he said the report does not reach a definitive conclusion about whether the project will cause racial displacement and that the data is provided to allow local bodies to make their own assessment. On the community board’s action, Frank St. reported that Community Board 4 voted to disapprove the application without conditions and estimated “about six” votes for disapproval, adding that he did not have the exact count and a written recommendation would be published.
The applicant acknowledged community concern over scale and neighborhood fit, arguing the R7A rezoning is necessary to make new housing — including permanently income-restricted units under MIH — economically feasible at these sites. The applicant also said outreach mailings were sent to owners of nearby, non-applicant-owned properties included in the rezoning area, that most of those properties appear to be small, individually owned buildings unlikely to be redeveloped absent assembly, and that the applicant intends to work with longstanding businesses on temporary displacement mitigation or relocation during construction.
On sustainability, the applicant said the buildings would meet applicable codes and include additional features where feasible: all-electric systems, advanced lighting controls, energy-efficient windows and appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, green roofs to aid stormwater management and reduce heat-island effects, wiring to accommodate future solar installations, and EV charging infrastructure in garages. The applicant also said it would explore installing rain gardens in tree pits as an alternative to contributing to the city tree fund if planting is infeasible.
No members of the public testified either virtually or in person; planner Sola confirmed there were no virtual speakers and Garvey closed the hearing. Garvey announced the next hybrid land-use public hearing for the Borough President’s office is scheduled for March 26 at 9:30 a.m.
The application materials, MIH analysis, and Community Board 4’s written recommendation were referenced as available for review; the applicant provided approximate counts for some items (for example, the community board vote) and indicated final, authoritative documents will be published in writing.
