Board 2 Approves New LIC Development
During its meeting at Sunnyside Community Services on Thursday, Oct. 2, Community Board 2 recommended the approval of special permits to finalize the Silvercup West development in Long Island City and called for the number of affordable housing units there to be doubled.
The long-awaited Silvercup Studios expansion was recommended unanimously by Board 2 and now moves to the City Planning Commission. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2010, but has been pushed back because of New York Power Authority facilities on three acres of land at the site, which must be decommissioned and relocated before construction can begin, according to published reports.
Board 2, the City Council, Borough President and Department of City Planning originally voted to grant approval of the special permits for Silvercup West in 2006, and again in 2011.
One permit would allow for a 1,400-space parking garage to be built. Another addressed the Silvercup sign atop a building in the area, visible from the Manhattan and Queens waterfronts. This recommendation urged using original materials instead of modern ones.
The project is a planned $1 billion expansion of the existing film studio and development site situated near the Ed Koch- Queensboro Bridge. Board 2 additionally adopted a resolution urging developers to include 20 percent affordable housing at the site, which altered an earlier recommendation that asked for 10 percent.
Silvercup West, when complete will include eight new soundstage studios as a part of a the 2.2 million-square-foot complex containing an office tower, retail space, a catering hall and cultural space.
Asking for more housing
Board 2 Chairperson Joe Conley suggested that the advisory body send a letter to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz urging a feasibility study be conducted to determine if housing can be developed on the Sunnyside Yards, beginning in the southwest corner by the Arch Street freight yards.
Conley made the suggestion after having to turn people away from a forum earlier in the same week that gave residents details on affordable apartments at the Hunter Point South housing development, slated to begin welcoming tenants early next year.
The board need to explore all areas where housing can be built, stay ahead of the development curve in western Queens and do its best to include affordable units, he explained.
“It’s really just saying take a look at it,” Conley said. “But at least it starts the dialogue.”
He wants to use the same model that lead to the Hunters Point Development, he said.
Though the study would be an initial step, there are many factors to consider before attempting to build any housing development on the site, including the inclusion and current state of vital services like fire and police. Conley also noted the importance of studying existing civic facilities to ensure ample schools, hospitals, medical facilities and community centers.
“There’s a lot to look at,” he said.
Conley added that he realizes another large development could strain current transportation routes, and would not want to overextend police and fire services.
During the debate over the idea, Moitri Chowdhury Savard of Long Island City said, “I’m not against development, but can we finish looking at what we’ve already done before starting something new.”
After several questions addressing the surrounding issues that would need to be tackled, a vote to send the letter to Katz was recommended by the board.
“There’s already about two acres of developable land near the Arch Street Yards,” Penny Lee, Board 2 member and senior planner at the Queens Borough Office of the Department of City planning said. She also noted that the owners of the land, the Long Island Rail Road has the first right of refusal to develop the land, and they could issue a Request For Proposals to develop parts of the site.
Back to the yards
Long Island City resident Lise Laurent urged that a compromise be reached concerning the use of rear yards at bars and restaurants along Vernon Boulevard.
“Everybody probably already knows why I’m here,” Laurent said as she walked to the microphone. “I’m here to ask for some kind of track we can take. I’ve noticed a lot of people leave the neighborhood because that’s what they want in the spring and summer or fall.”
This issue flared up several times over the last couple months as some in the Board 2 area, like Laurent, want these establishments to be allowed to serve customers in their rear yards, while other residents have supported no changes, claiming the noise, smoke and food smells would be too much of a burden.
“A compromise should be able to be reached,” she said. “These businesses are here, they want to use their backyards.”
Board 2 member Kenneth Greenberg of Long Island City asked Laurent if she had any ideas, or could present a plan for how any potential conflicts between customers and residents would be resolved, should one arise.
“It seems like you are siding with the businesses,” he said.
“First of all, I am siding with myself,” Laurent replied.
She reiterated it would be nice to enjoy some food or a drink in a rear yard, claiming hours of operation are not the problem.
Board 2 member Regina Shanley of Woodside suggested she attend a future Board 2 City Services and Public Safety Committee meeting to voice her opinion and to hear first hand the debates that have taken place there.
Laurent said she has attended previously, and did miss the most recent meeting, but plans to return.
Community Board 2 meets on the first Thursday of each month at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th St. Regular board meetings begin at 7 p.m. For more information call the Board 2 offices at 1-718-533- 8773.
