By Bill Parry
Astoria Cove’s promise of more than 1,700 residential units, at least 345 of them permanently affordable, nearly 54,000 square feet of retail space, a new public school and a waterfront esplanade won over the City Planning Commission. 2030 Astoria Developer’s plans for the massive five building complex received a seal of approval Monday with a 11-0 vote, with two commissioners abstaining, and now the final say is up to the City Council.
“All told,” Planning Commission Chairman Carl Weisbrod said, “the Astoria Cove development would add a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, employment, shopping and recreational opportunities to service the needs of current and future residents in this portion of the growing neighborhood of Astoria,”
The vote was an historic one in that it was the first time the city has made inclusion of affordable housing mandatory for a developer to secure a zoning change.
“That’s why we expected the commission’s approval,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. She has joined Community Board 1 in objecting to the project, recommending that the developer include more units of affordable housing.
“The City Planning Commission’s vote is only the start of this process,” Councilman Costa Constantinides said. ““While the new housing stock is sorely needed, the development must work for all Astorians. When the project comes before the City Council, we will work with the developer and focus on providing ample affordable housing, dramatically increasing public transportation capacity of and off of the peninsula, and keeping the development within the fabric of the community. The development, done correctly, has the opportunity to be a transformative moment for us but only if built to the highest standard.”
In a statement thanking the Planning Commission, 2030 Astoria Developers said it looked forward to the project being the standard by which future development projects will be evaluated. The firm vowed to work with Constantinides and his colleague on the City Council on issues such as the number of affordable units, the use of union labor for construction and transportation alternatives for the growing population in Astoria.
Weisbrod addressed that final issue following the vote addressing Katz and CB 1’s request for ferry service.
“I am pleased to report that the city is in very advanced discussions to achieve the issuance of a request for proposals for a feasibility study of ferry landing options along the Hallets Point peninsula prior to City Council action on the Astoria Cove project,” he said.
That news is sure to please the Durst Organization, which purchased a 90 percent stake in the neighboring Hallets Point project. The real estate giant’s vice president, Helena Rose Durst, said in a statement, “Ferries are a pivotal component of the transportation infrastructure for our project and the entire Hallets Peninsula.”
The seven building, 2,404-unit Hallet Point project got the green light from the city last fall. The City Council is expected to vote on Astoria Cove by late November.
Weisbrod said both projects will “create a new destination in which to live, work and recreate. It will benefit the broader neighborhood, the Borough of Queens and, indeed, the City of New York.”
Luanne Rozran questions the whole six-month review process. The artist, who lives in the Shore Towers, was one of 56 Astoria residents who testified during the Community Board 1 public hearing in June. She made an emotional plea against the height of the towers, saying it would destroy the views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline.
“Forget about the view,” Rozran said. “What about the traffic, parking and evacuation plans? I’m horrified that they’ve completely ignored the community’s advice. How did this go forward when no one recommended it? I don’t understand why the people were ignored.”
Norm Sutaria supported the recommendations of CB 1 and the borough president when he testified before the City Planning Commission in August. He wanted more clarity on affordable housing, better access to the waterfront and he pushed for full-time permanent jobs.
“I’m taking a wait and see approach,” he said. “Hopefully, the City Council will make the changes we’ve been looking for.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
