The controversial proposal to build an eight-story apartment complex and assisted living housing on the site of the Bay Terrace Country Club was the subject of a hearing Tuesday afternoon before the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.
And much like hearings conducted by Community Board 11 and its Land Use Committee, the only public speakers in favor of the project were the developers and their attorney.
The remaining nine speakers — even a member of Community Board 7, whose district sits on the north side of 24th Avenue — were staunchly opposed for reasons ranging from endangering the neighborhood’s historical character to increased risk of flooding in what already is a flood zone.
Barone Management and Apex Development are seeking a zoning map amendment that would allow them to build the project on a site presently zoned — like most residential areas in District 11 — for one- and two-family homes.
They also want to change the site’s zoning text to allow affordable housing on the site. Attorney Frank St. Jacques said plans call for 183 apartment units, including 55 set aside as affordable; 65 senior assisted living units; and an 86-space underground parking garage.
“There is a clear need for new housing and affordable housing in this area, and we submit this rezoning presents an opportunity to meet that need,” St. Jacques said during his presentation. He said District 11 has the highest concentration of residents age 65 and over in Queens, and the third-highest in the city.
Residents said the complex by itself would overwhelm the neighborhood by its sheer size; and when combined with a new school and park under construction on adjacent parcels, would lead to traffic, parking, sewer and flooding nightmares.
“This dead-end street cannot begin to handle the traffic that would be created by buses, ambulances, emergency vehicles and resident traffic,” said resident Sylvia Johnson.
She said the site is over a former swamp, and that flooding from heavy rains would block emergency vehicles from the senior facility; and that parking already is at a premium, with limited public transportation in close range.
“This project has nothing to do with affordable housing,” said resident Leo Marinello. “This project is pure profit.”
The developers point out that there are numerous apartment complexes nearby to the north, all in District 7. Phil Konigsberg, a member of CB 7, asked the developers to imagine nearby residents’ fear of the project.
“Now imagine an emergency — medical, fire or structural,” Konigsberg said.
“The flooding risk is significant and severe,” said resident and conservationist Walter Mugdan. He also is concerned about the impact on Little Neck Bay, which is just across the Cross Island Parkway to the east of the site.