Pols seek to patch zoning loophole

Local politicians are pushing for a new zoning classification to protect single-family homes on narrow lots from turning into multi-family units that contribute to the overdevelopment of neighborhoods.
City Councilmember David Weprin said he would introduce a resolution in order to turn up the heat on the Department of City Planning to immediately draft and implement narrow-lot contextual zoning plan for single-family homes that sit on lots that take up less than 40 feet.
In many Queens communities, a number of areas have already been downzoned from R-2 to R2A in order to protect against overdevelopment, but under the current provisions, developers can build multi-family residences on lots less than 40 feet.
&#8220The developers are basically taking advantage of this loophole because there is really no arsenal in the city planning to change the zoning if it's a narrow-width lot,” Weprin said.
Weprin and opponents of overdevelopment drafted a new zoning proposal called R2N, which they say would give City Planning another weapon to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
At a rally on Sunday, November 19 in Bellerose, more than 50 community members joined Weprin, Councilmember James Gennaro and Assemblymember Mark Weprin to voice their support for the new zoning designation.
&#8220We need the newly proposed zoning classifications as of yesterday,” said Angela Augugliaro, President of the Queens Colony Civic Association, which covers the Bellerose area. &#8220Ninety eight percent of our families petitioned for a single-family only zone, yet City Planning has been unresponsive.”
Weprin said that if the zoning loophole is not fixed, developers would continue to build more multi-family houses in communities that will put a strain on the schools in the area, parking, the electrical grids, sanitation pickup and a host of other services.
City Planning acknowledged that it is aware of the request and said they were looking into the proposal.