Rendering of Phipps’ current plan for 50-25 Barnett Ave.
Nov. 11, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A public hearing is scheduled to take place next week to discuss controversial plans filed by a developer looking to rezone a Sunnyside property to make way for a seven-story, 167-unit building.
The hearing will address the rezoning application filed by Phipps Houses, a non-profit developer that aims to rezone its 50-25 Barnett Ave. site from manufacturing to residential in order to proceed with the project.
The hearing will take place on Nov. 18 via the video-conferencing application Webex and will kick off at 6:30 p.m.
The event, which is being hosted by Community Board 2, will mark the first step in the rezoning/ULURP process and members of the public will get a chance to weigh in on the new plans.
People who wish to provide comment at the hearing must fill out a form on the CB2 website at the following link. Each speaker will be allocated a maximum of two-minutes, and written statements will also be accepted.
The application filed by Phipps was certified by the Dept. of City Planning on Oct. 5 and CB2 is required to hold a hearing on the plans before it renders an advisory opinion.
The plans will then go to the Queens Borough President’s office for another advisory opinion, before going to the City Planning Commission and then the city council for a binding vote.
The current plans call for a mixed-use building on the north side of Barnett Avenue between 50th and 52nd streets. The building would consist of 167 units that would all be deemed affordable–subject to income restrictions. The units would be 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and there would be no studios.
The development would also include room for a community facility as well as 170 attended parking spaces, of which 111 would be made available for the public.
The application comes four years after Phipps abandoned a more ambitious rezoning plan for the site after facing fierce community opposition. That plan called for a 10-story structure with more than 200 units, with incomes set at higher Area Median Income (AMI) levels.
Critics argued that 10-stories was too big and that the AMI levels were too high. Other residents opposed the plan fearing that they would struggle to find parking if the site is developed.
The property, which is adjacent to the Long Island Railroad, is currently used as a parking lot, and has room for about 220 vehicles. Many residents at the 472-unit Phipps Gardens Apartment complex nearby use it since that complex does not include on-site parking.
The public is able to view or listen to the Nov. 18 hearing but must register by clicking here. The event is scheduled to last about three hours.
Residents can also phone in and listen to the meeting by dialing 418-408-9388 and using the access code 173-972-2075.
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19 Comments
TA/REBNY are stealing this election and the media is covering it up! The TA/REBNY crime family is stealing our parking! We want our parking for the world! Give us our free parking! Test post*. LOL
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So a Marriott-sized building was downsized to a Courtyard. Still too big.
Sunnyside Gardens is a national historic district landmarked for its unique architecture of town homes and courtyard apartments. Buding the 8 story box of apartments and parking with no dedicated green space will clash with the the existing character of the neighborhood. It would not match the scale and fabric of existing, and would be contrary to the current zoning.
I am all for affordable housing — yes, please! But let’s hold developers responsible for contributing to our neighborhoods with contextual buildings and green spaces, public amenities that would benefit both long term residents and newcomers.
How about we make Sunnyside Garden a public park?
Because it would become a dump with people dumping trash on the floors, loud music, loud noise, gang activity (Case and point Thomas Noonan Park)… and of course historical preservation laws.
Sunnyside Gardens Park was actually built at the same time as the houses FOR the houses by the OWNER of the land selling it. It’s technically part of the garden houses. You want a park with grass than tell the city to make you one. Or, move to an area that fits your budget that has a park. Don’t hate on the houses because it’s part of their ownership right to the land. Also, calling them elite is not in touch with reality. Most 1-2 bedroom condos in Manhattan cost more than the Garden Houses. Most people are self made and not trust fund babies. Don’t hate congratulate.
Point taken. But then please don’t extend your sense of entitlement outside of the Gardens footprint, either. Don’t hate on Phipp’s plans for THEIR land just because you think it’ll affect YOUR [insert NIMBY issue].
“Ok” never said anything about Phipps plans. Read the thread and see this was in response to Sunnyside for all. Stop assuming and being a hater and crying that someone feels entitled. Since you are speaking about the development, you want more congested trains than go for it. Love a train jammed liked sardines and more ugly buildings with no character.
You say “stop assuming” and then proved all the assumptions correct! Well done! Love it!
Sense of entitlement?? What kind of attitude is that??
MTA’s budget proposal being presented today announces massive layoffs and cutbacks in subway and bus service. This whale is out of scale for the neighborhood, and would add way too many riders on our area’s limited transportation options. Just say no, CB2 & JVB!
Oppose. This would destroy the neighborhood. There is plenty of space for these developments outside of kew gardens, flatbush, Eastchester, and staten island. Sunnyside does not have capacity for this sort of development.
Wasn’t there also the issue of chemicals underground as well? There use to be a dry cleaners in the neighboring property that migrated to under the parking lot.
If built will the residents be able to go to Sunnyside Gardens?
Not sure the Garden elite will like that.
If congestion pricing ever gets implemented, expect the Gardens will have to buy Resident Only parking permits. Just a guess.
Nope. There is a cap on the number of members. If the cap is exceeded then there is a waiting list all assuming you live in the zone map.
Good luck finding a parking space anywhere in the vicinity if this whale gets approved. It’s nearly impossible now with the outdoor dining sheds. The Phipps parkers will be displaced from their current lot during the construction period.
Tell us more about this. Be specific!
“The development would also include room for a community facility ***as well as 170 attended parking spaces, of which 111 would be made available for the public.***”