A development in Woodside was rejected by board members in a Queens community board last week.
On June 7, Community Board 2 voted against plans for a proposed development at 69-02 Queens Blvd. in Woodside. The plan was proposed by Madison Realty Capital and would include two separate towers that would house 561 apartments.
The 14-story and 17-story buildings would also include 5,600 square feet of retail, and 242 above-ground parking spots, as first reported by the Commercial Observer.
Local residents and elected officials spoke out against the plan, including Councilman Robert Holden, whose district covers part of Woodside. Last month, Holden announced that he rejected Madison Realty’s bid to be granted a zoning variance that would allow them to build the towers higher than what is currently allowed.
As of now, Madison would only be able to build a 12-story building consisting of 289 apartments, 58 of which could be affordable housing. Their plans for the Woodside development would include almost double the amount of apartment units, 168 of which would be affordable.
During the monthly community board meeting back in May, members of the community also voiced similar sentiments against the development. Detractors said that the Woodside buildings would bring unwanted consequences to the neighborhood including increased street traffic, overcrowding in local schools and gentrification.
Though it was rejected by the local community board, Madison Realty Capital’s plan will go through several levels of review, including the Queens borough president, City Planning Commission and the City Council.
