Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Astoria Cove approved by planning commission despite objections

From DNA Info:

The City Planning Commission approved zoning changes that will clear the way for the massive and controversial Astoria Cove housing complex.

Ten out of 13 commissioners approved the entire project proposal on Monday afternoon. The City Council now has about two months to hold a public hearing and vote on the project, which is set to be built on 26th Avenue between 4th and 9th streets.

The Astoria Cove plan, which the developers said will not involve public subsidies, features five mixed-used buildings with nearly 1,700 apartments on the waterfront of Astoria’s Hallets Point.

The project, which will be constructed over 10 years, also includes 54,000 square feet of retail space, an elementary school, a children’s play area and 84,000 square feet of public open space.

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Queens Community Board 1 recently objected the project, asking the developers to include more than the 345 affordable units currently planned.

Twenty percent of the entire project is set to be affordable, according to the developers' attorney. But the community board asked that at least 35 percent of the project be allocated for affordable housing.

Local officials have also said they wanted the massive housing complex to come with more public transportation services.

6 comments:

georgetheatheist said...

Any of the old mansions going to be knocked down?

Anonymous said...

They are looking at a four lane highway up Vernon that will cut the towers and waterfront off from the community.

It will split up Astoria Park South which will connect it to the Grand Central, and Shore Road / 20th Ave which will connect through traffic to both the Airport and Grand Central in East Elmhurst.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice has now been unleashed and I cannot think of a better group of people that are about to be hung by their ignorance and stupidity.

Anonymous said...

If so, then that new highway will mean opening up the upper Ditmars area for development.

Wheeeee!!!

Anonymous said...

Additional life and an infusion of higher income residents to this blighted community can only improve it and the surrounding neighborhood. I'm tired of the affordable housing socialists and welcome some economic diversity to this peninsula of poverty.

Anonymous said...

Additional life and an infusion of higher income residents to this blighted community can only improve it and the surrounding neighborhood. I'm tired of the affordable housing socialists and welcome some economic diversity to this peninsula of poverty.

Great, when I see community board members and politicians and developers move their families here I will believe your racist and condescending blather.

Anonymous said...

the word is that in exchange for more affordable housing the pricks behind this blockbuster want more stories.

of course they will pay a few thousand (excuse me make a donation to the campaign) of the local talent and get pretty much anything they want.