Share Opinions On Astoria Development With BP Richards Thursday

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Astorians can tell Borough President Donovan Richards what they think about a newly proposed apartment tower before he issues a recommendation on the development.

Richards is hosting a public land use hearing on Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss a zoning application that — if approved — would pave the way for a 107-unit apartment building on the corner of Vernon Boulevard and 35th Avenue, where a two-story warehouse currently stands.

The proposed apartment, which has been in the works since 2019, was approved by Community Board 1 last month. All told, 23 members voted in favor of the building, 10 voted against it, and two members abstained, records show.

Initially, board members expressed concern with the number of studios in the application and requested that the building have more deeply affordable housing units.

In response, the developer eliminated studio apartments from the building and has proposed Option 1 of the city's mandatory inclusionary housing policy, which offers some units to households making as little as 40 percent of the area median income (lower than some of the other options).

As proposed, the building will have 26 affordable units starting at $823-per month for a one bedroom, and 81 market rate units starting at $2,304 per-month for a one bedroom, according to a presentation at the community board meeting.

The building will include the usual slate of luxury building amenities, like a laundry room, fitness center, and outdoor terrace, as well as an indoor light manufacturing area (likely in partnership with Cornell Tech) and accessible, free bike storage for the public, the presentation shows.

There will also be an underground parking lot with 77-spaces and commercial space one floor up on the street level.

Richards recommendation, which needs to be issued by March 3rd, is advisory, like Community Board 1's. A decision on the building will come down to a City Council vote in the upcoming months.

If the apartment at 35-01 Vernon Boulevard is approved, demolition and construction would last a little over a year, with the building opening as early as 2024, YIMBY reported.

You can stream the hearing live online here, or register to make a comment at the hearing here. In order to testify you need to keep your camera on and state your name for the record. Find out more about the hearing here. If you're unable to make the hearing, you can send in written testimony to planning@queensbp.org by 5 p.m. on Feb. 3