Commission Meetings

Update February 28th, 2007:

On February 28, 2007, the City Council adopted the Queensboro Hill zoning map changes with modifications ( View the  final adopted Zoning Map and  final adopted Zoning Comparison Chart). Zoning changes are now in effect.

Introduction

The Department of City Planning proposes zoning map changes for approximately 100 blocks in the north central Queens neighborhood of Queensboro Hill, Community District 7, and for portions of five blocks in Community District 8. The rezoning area, which also includes parts of Flushing-on-the-Hill, Cedar Grove and Kissena Heights, is generally bounded by the Queens Botanical Garden and Kissena Corridor Park to the north; St. Mary’s Cemetery to the east; the Long Island Expressway (LIE), Queens College, and Mount Hebron Cemetery to the south; and College Point Boulevard to the west.

The proposed lower-density  and contextual zoning districts -- R2A, R3-1, R3A, R3X, R4-1, R4, R4B and R5B – would reflect well-established patterns of development in these communities and ensure that future residential development is consistent with its surrounding context.  Additionally, commercial overlay districts are proposed to be updated to prevent intrusion of commercial uses onto residential streets and to reflect existing development patterns.

Typical narrow lot one and two family development on 161st Street

Retail along Main Street with view of the New York Hospital Queens

58th Avenue between 142nd and 146th Street

Location Map View a larger image.

Residential development in the rezoning area began in the early 1900s as the population of downtown Flushing grew and residents moved outward.  Most of the housing stock, however, was built after World War II.  Several significant institutional uses are adjacent to the rezoning area including Queens College and the City University of New York Law School to the south and the New York Hospital Center of Queens on Main Street.  Extensive transportation infrastructure is found in downtown Flushing to the north of the study area.  Buses run along Main Street and Kissena Boulevard to the Main Street stop of the #7 subway line and the Long Island Rail Road station in downtown Flushing.

In response to community concerns that recent development has been inconsistent with neighborhood scale and character, the proposed rezoning was undertaken in close consultation with Community Boards 7 and 8, elected representatives, as well as civic associations, including the Queensboro Hill,  Flushing-on-the-Hill, Kissena Heights, and Cedar Grove civic associations. 

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