City Planning Seeks To Spur Development

The Department of City Planning (DCP) is in the process of proposing many zoning changes citywide, with a number of major changes taking place throughout Queens.
Currently, DCP has made proposals for extensive zoning changes to increase economic development with a strong emphasis being placed on improving three regional business districts — Flushing, Jamaica and Long Island City.
“We are working throughout the borough with the community, with elected officials, and civic organizations to foster economic growth as well as support the creation of attractive and affordable housing to neighborhoods and provide the city’s largest borough with an even better future,” said John Young, Director of the Queens DCP Office.
Young gave a presentation at the Queens Chamber of Commerce office last Thursday detailing plans – both short and long-term – for development throughout Queens.
With EDC recently awarding a contract for the development of Municipal Lot 1 in Flushing, City Planning is launching a three-pronged plan for Flushing: improve the downtown core, revitalize the waterfront and redevelop the Willets Point area.
“Our principal strategy is to build on the borough’s strengths,” Young said. “We really believe that this will help make Queens an overall better place to live, to work, to visit.”
DCP has also developed comprehensive plans for Jamaica with short term goals focused on improving the Sutphin Boulevard underpass and a long term vision to make Jamaica into a complete mixed-use central business district.
In addition to the three business district improvements, DCP is also in the process of proposing rezoning updates to 15 neighborhoods located throughout Queens.
While the presentation offered insight into many initiatives that DCP is working on to help Queens progress, some believed that there were still issues that they would have liked to see addressed further.
“I would like to see them put a little bit more emphasis on where they will find additional room for housing,” said Henry Wan, the Chairman of the Chamber’s Borough Planning Committee. “I think that housing is a major issue facing the city right now.”
pdavis@queenscourier.com