Another Caliendo special is underway

From QNS.com:

Plans for an oddly shaped five-story, mixed-use building on the edge of Ridgewood were approved last month by the Department of Buildings (DOB).

Diagrams show that half of the proposed U-shaped building — located at 62-41 Forest Ave., formerly part of the long-defunct Boss Motors car dealership — will be five stories, while the other half only rises four stories; and the dividing line cuts through the lot diagonally.

his division of stories is necessary because the plot of land sits in two distinct zones that, in examining the building plans, seem to be the result of a mapped, yet unbuilt portion of Greene Avenue. This swath cuts through the property on a bias.

As a result, the portion of the building closest to the neighboring Walgreens pharmacy is in an R6B zone with a C2-4 overlay, which allows for the five stories. The other portion of the building further away from the pharmacy is in an R5B zone, only allowing for four stories.

According to the plans, the proposed building will come with a cellar, 44 dwelling units, and 23 parking spaces — 15 parking spaces and eight accessory off street parking spots — along with 23 bicycle parking spots.

You may remember this property from a 2014 post and a 2013 post right here on QC.

Part of Astoria's 36th street to be demapped

From the Daily News:

The Astoria studio that is home to "Sesame Street" has cleared its first hurdle in its plan to turn a city block into an outdoor movie set.

Queens Community Board 1 approved on Tuesday a proposal by Kaufman Astoria Studios to de-map 36th St., from 34th Ave. to 35th Ave., and then lease the space from the city. The block sits beside the Kaufman complex.

But not everyone was pleased with the board's decision. Some locals said the closure would increase traffic congestion and vowed to oppose the plan.

"We're going to take the fight to the borough president's office," said Brian Beard, president of the Long Island City Alliance, a community group.

Beard said traffic problems will get worse, especially from Northern Blvd. to the Queensboro Bridge. It could also make dropping off kids at nearby schools difficult, he said.

Astoria resident Ron Vega, 52, said he also opposes the plan, noting there are already problems when the studio temporarily closes streets for filming. A permanent closure will make the situation even worse, he said.

"When I tell you from my heart that this is a bad idea, I hope you take it into consideration," Vega implored the board.

Studio President Hal Rosenbluth said the street closure will actually be good for the area and noted that emergency vehicles will be allowed to drive through the block.

Having an outdoor set, similar to ones in Los Angeles, will make the studio more competitive and able to land additional major productions, Rosenbluth said. And those films, TV shows and commercials can translate into local jobs and increased business for area merchants.

"It sustains the economic growth we've created," he said. "The neighborhood is going to be very happy in the end."

The proposal would allow the studio to lease the block from the city through 2049, said city Economic Development Corp. spokeswoman Julie Wood.

I thought they were leaving because the tax credits ran out.

Church group looks to demap street

From the Daily News:

A SOMETIMES controversial spiritual group has asked the city to sell them a long-defunct Jamaica Hills street, which is already being used as a meditation garden.

The Sri Chinmoy Centre Church will present a proposal to de-map Glenn Ave. to Community Board 8 tonight. Board members and local residents will be given the opportunity to weigh in on plans for the unpaved parcel.

"That whole area is sacred to us," said Ashrita Furman, 56, a church member and Guinness World Record holder. "That's where our teacher meditated. We really want to preserve it just as a peaceful green space."

The group originally tried to lease the property when it moved to Jamaica Hills about 30 years ago, Furman said. Back then, the street with abandoned trolley tracks was a wasteland of junk cars, garbage and drug abusers, he and local officials said.

But the lease deal fell through and the church purchased some adjoining property, he said. Members took it upon themselves to clean up Glenn Ave. and put a fence around it.

But the group became concerned when developers began looking at the property, Furman said. So, several years ago, the church approached the city about de-mapping the street, having it appraised and selling it to the church at fair market price.

"For the most part, we're all in support of this," said Deborah Ayala, president of the Jamaica Hills Community Association. The church is "well-known in the neighborhood and well-liked."

City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), a former member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre Church, also supports the sale.

"They've been a very responsible steward of this property for the last 30 years," Gennaro said. "It will ensure that the property never again falls into disrepair."

After the community board votes on the proposal, it must go before the City Planning Commission for review, city officials said. It then may go before the City Council.

The church has come under fire in the past as former members have come forward and labeled the group a cult.