Maspeth community board objects to Home Depot development

Ridgewood Post

 Community Board 2 voted against a plan filed by Home Depot that calls for a massive home-improvement store and a six-story self-storage facility on a manufacturing site in Maspeth.

Home Depot needs a special permit since the 59-02 Borden Ave. site is located in a manufacturing district and the proposed six story self-storage facility does not conform with permitted uses.

The proposed development also calls for two one-story retail buildings. The retail buildings and separate Home Depot store comply with zoning regulations and can be built as of right.

The board rejected the application and said it would only approve the special permit if Home Depot agrees to use the two retail buildings for industrial use only. The Board in making the request said it aims to preserve the manufacturing integrity of the district.

The board’s decision is merely advisory, with the City Planning Commission and City Council ultimately determining the plan’s fate.

The site is located within the Maspeth Industrial Business Zone, which was established to ensure the preservation of industrial businesses. Those who oppose the application argue that this sets a bad precedent.

Home Depot, represented by the law firm Akerman LLP, argues that the self-storage facility would be of value since it meets the needs of small businesses– particularly contractors– and is a model that has worked elsewhere.

The company said that there are no self-storage areas within a quarter mile and that the facility would be in demand. The facility would be operated by a third-party vendor.

The development site is bound by Borden Avenue to the north, 55th Drive to the south and Maurice Avenue to the east. The self-storage facility would be located to the rear of the site—by the Long Island Expressway– and adjacent to the proposed 134,000 square foot Home Depot store. The two one-story retail buildings would front onto Maurice Avenue.

Quincy Ely-Cate, from the Maspeth Business Industrial Association, said he is against the proposal. He said the self-storage facility does not comply and he does not want it to take space in the IBZ. He said that there are 850 industrial businesses and 15,000 related jobs within the IBZ that need to be protected.

 “These businesses are currently under threat and face tremendous pressures from the increase in industrial real estate rents and valuations as developers encroach on these designated areas with speculation of alternative non-conforming uses,” he said.