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Rezoning Approved For 104-Unit Development on Newtown Avenue in Astoria

Rendering of the 30-02 Newtown Ave. development presented to Community Board 1 in January

July 13, 2021 By Christian Murray

The New York City Council recently approved a developer’s rezoning plan to build an 11-story, 104-unit apartment complex near the 30th Avenue train station in Astoria.

The approval now means that MEDREP Associates, a Long Island City based company, can move forward with its plans to build its 11-story project at 30-02 Newtown Ave.

The building will include 104 units, of which 26 units will be designated as affordable, in accordance with the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program.

The development will also include ground floor retail space and space for a community facility—such as a child care center, health care facility or non-profit organization. There will also be 30 parking spaces in the cellar.

The development site has frontage along 31st Street, Newtown Avenue and 30th Street. The site is currently occupied by three interconnected two-story commercial buildings, which will all be demolished. The buildings are home to a tire repair shop, a warehouse and offices.

The rezoning application was approved by Community Board 1 in January, by a vote of 19 to 11 with three abstentions. It then got the support of the Queens Borough President in March and was later approved by the City Planning Commission in April.

The development site at 30-02 Newtown Avenue (Google)

The property’s zoning will now change from C4-4A to C4-4D, which represents an increase in the allowable buildable area.

The developer plans to offer the affordable housing units to households earning—on average—60 percent of the Area Median Income, in accordance with MIH guidelines. Some apartments will be offered to households making 40 percent of the AMI, while others priced for those making 80 percent of the AMI.

Renderings of the proposed development show that the height of the project will be staggered, ranging from six to 11 stories. The tallest section of the building will be concentrated along 31st Street, with the scale declining toward 30th Street.

Advocates for the project say that the development makes sense given its proximity to the subway and how it is located on a busy corridor. However, opponents say that more affordable units should have been included in the plan.

The income and rental levels for the affordable housing units–as presented to CB1 in January

Rendering of the development that was present to Community Board 1 in January

email the author: news@queenspost.com

17 Comments

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Beverly Mitchell

Hi my name is Beverly Mitchell I would like a place at one of these places when they’re built when you’re done

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Beverly Mitchell

This is beverlymitchell874@gmail.com I’m trying to submit an application for this property for low income housing if you can send me an application as soon as it’s available I’d appreciate that at 22-50 43st Astoria NY 11105 thank yout vary much Beverly Mitchell

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Beverly mitchell

I would like to see about renting a studio apartment for low income housing for this property when it’s available I would like to submit an application for this property for low income housings housing

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Michael Moore

It would be great if the names of the zoning board and how they voted would be reported. It would also be great if the IRS audited them when such decisions are made

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Jeremy

Why? This building is obviously good for the City so it’s clear why they made this decision.

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LUZ STELLA OSORIO

Hi I like to apply for the 26 unit the for a lower income I like to know want I need to do o how to apply thank you

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Olga

It’s already too crowded.
Subway can’t handle the already existing customers.
Stop pushing our small business!!! They can’t keep up with garbage collection
Cleaning sidewalks and streets. Come see how dirty
Astoria has become!!!

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Jeremy

This is New York City, if you don’t like living in a city there are many other places in the US to live so I would suggest you move.

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Irma N Reyes

Blessings!! I’ve put my name on lots of these, hopefully one will give, thanks

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C Anthony Cinturati

This is horrible, it’ll ruin this neighborhood. How can a few greedy people make decisions that impact so many unilaterally ?

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Hank

104 units , 30 parking spots Good LUCK finding parking
Then again ,take the train it’s really safe.

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John Doe

Here we go again these members that sit on this board of members approving plans to put up more. Buildings instead of investing the communities that around Astoria that been there for years to improve life and civilization. Not to far from the location is a NYCHA locations which has had money stolen from the budget people treated like there nothing but here comes investors wanting. To gentrify the Astoria areas even more. What about those buildings on 21st with empty homes no money is coming into the community to help.

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