Jackson Heights Life

So ugly. What about the windows on the other building? Will they just be blocked out or be inches away from this new building?

Also, this is very off-topic but I live in the building next door and always wanted a courtyard like the one depicted in the renderings. But our "courtyard" is basically a trash heap full of old refrigerators, bags upon bags of plastic bottles, and every other tool known to man. It's such a waste.

Does anyone know what happened at the meeting, and when there will be a decision?

Why on Earth would they choose Roosevelt Terrace as the building to draw "inspiration" from?

Well, it's the closest post-war building, and is a complex of four buildings. From a certain point of view, I can see the reasoning that drawing design elements from next door post-war building in a Historical District would be helpful. And chances are the shareholders at Roosevelt Terrace have been heavily involved in the opposition to this proposed addition, so I can see why the developer would think aping RT made sense on two levels: to fit in design wise and to deliver a poke in the eye to what I imagine has been a big part of the opposition to this project.

As an aside, RT's balconies are useable spaces - you can see residents there can put out chairs and tables and really enjoy the space. These "balconies" look like the type of balconies someone added to a design to be able to check off the "balcony" box for an apartment listing. Not usable save to stick some plants on in warm weather and send someone to smoke.

So you believe that the neighborhood reached its ideal physical form in 1993 (not before and not after), and should remain completely unchanged forevermore, so that our descendants 500 years hence can marvel at C-Town? I dunno, guys.

Only if the grocery store in the property in 500 years continues to provide low quality produce with holes in the floor. Folks will be able to marvel that people didn't develop scurvy. Really though, there are parts of JH where there is a canyon effect along 37th Avenue. The sections with one story buildings are along the avenue really are nicer to walk along, even if the retail at the ground level is less than exciting in those parts.

It would be very interesting to have some transparency around the reasoning why it was approved.

I'm not surprised, although I am saddened.  I fear this will set a precedent for other buildings.  On the other hand, we don't want to encourage arson in the neighborhood.

I hope there is some rule or clause in there somewhere that dictates what residents will be allowed to put on those tiny little balconies.  (For example, will they be able to hang wet towels out there?) I was just passing through Corona yesterday and saw so many horribly ugly Fedders types of buildings where the balconies have essentially become trash receptacles. Hope that won't happen whatsoever with this building. I am assuming Roosevelt Terrace has strict rules for balconies, as all the balconies there appear to be very well kept.