Jackson Heights Life

A pied a terre tax is interesting.

So is a sponsor tax.

Like a flip tax for sponsors.

 Here is a post from the JHBG regarding building on 37 Ave. between 84 and 85 streets. This is a really important issue regarding land use and density.    https://www.facebook.com/JHBGNY/posts/806904942728930

Why not just refurbish the existing space?  Or, add just one floor?  Why the drive to add more apartments to an already congested neighborhood?  We're suffocating here.  We have no real parks to speak of (that asphalt thing called Travers is not a "park" it's an paved over chainlink fence lot.)  We have less parks than almost anywhere in the city.  And they want ot build more apartments?  All this will do is continue the precedent of adding more tall buildings along 37th.  Just look east of 82 and you an imagine all those low buildings being replaced by tall structures with more apartments.  If there is this craven need to build tall structures at least build them on Northern.  They could replace the car dealerships with highrises and few would care.  But even there it would be nice if they preserve some of the older buildings.  The whole history of JH is about open space and light.  That's why it was orginally created.  We can't go back but we can at least be sensible about development for the future of our neighborhood.   

and if we don't build it, they won't come. which is fine by me in the long run...

The owner of the building and his team just had another presentation at the community board last week and will be going back again with revisions. The community board will hold a public hearing on the issue soon. In addition, they are required to obtain approval from the landmarks preservation committee. The landmarks preservation committee will also hold a public hearing. If you are against this development I encourage you to come to the hearings and speak up.

I don't mean to troll but this is a very funny thread to me. It seems like the same people decrying development along the neighborhood's prime commercial street are the same ones begging for a new American bistro, or a gym, or a cheese shop, or a clothing store that sells styles from this decade. But I'm not really sure where those things are going to come from without new neighbors.

I moved into a JH co-op a little more than a year ago (indeed, very close to this proposed development) and started watching JH Life at about the same time. Since then, only one active member has put his money where is mouth is—the guy opening the Queensboro. Maybe the neighborhood needs more outside money to make it what we profess to want. I know, I know—boo gentrification. All I'm saying is that there are woefully few apartments for sale in this area and some new people who are financially invested in the community might not be a bad thing.

I don't have a car but I can commiserate with every other 7 train rider and another few dozen families aren't going to materially change the experience.  I know that's a slippery slope argument but we're not talking about a Williamsburg-style 20 story high rise as one previous commenter lamented.

Anyway, there's a distinct "have your cake and eat it too" vibe to this thread and I just wonder how the detractors square their competing desires.

From Daniel Karatzas, author of Jackson Heights book and founding member of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group - the group behind the landmark designations:

Hello,
 
I believe this is the first time (other than for the annual Jackson Heights Historic Weekend) that I have used my Jackson Heights Real Estate Report database for other than real estate purposes.  But since I imagine most of you are Jackson Heights residents, I believe the issue soon to come before Community Board 3, and then the Landmarks Preservation Commission, is worthy of your attention.  I prepared a flyer regarding the upcoming (April 16th) Community Board 3 meeting, where the proposed four-story addition to 84-11 37th Avenue will be presented.  While the Community Board plays an advisory role, their opinion does count.  As such, it us up to local residents (us) to make sure that Board members are aware of our opinions, so they can make a better informed decision.
 
I am not in favor of this proposal because it not only violates the rationale behind our being landmarked, but it will threaten the seven other one-story block fronts in the Historic District.  It could ignite more and denser development in an already densely-built community.
 
If you cannot attend the meeting, you can inform the Community Board of your opinion (and ask that they share it with the board members) by:
 
1.       Visiting them at 82-11 37th Avenue - 6th Floor
2.       Calling them at 718 458 2707
3.       Emailing them at  communityboard3@nyc.rr.com
 
The next battle is when this proposal comes before the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  The LPC will have the ultimate say as to whether this proposal can proceed.  Stay tuned.
 
Daniel Karatzas