STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island residents gathered at 65 Uncas Ave. on Saturday alongside local officials to protest the potential redevelopment of a single-family property into multiple housing units — a project they say symbolizes what’s wrong with the city’s City of Yes zoning initiative.
South Shore Councilmember Frank Morano shared that as someone who grew up in the neighborhood, he wants to keep it a great place to live, expressing his dissatisfaction with the property’s planned redevelopment.
“Either neighborhoods mean something, either zoning means something, or it doesn’t,” said Morano, a Republican. “And what the City of Yes is, is the biggest giveaway to developers you’ve ever seen in the city’s history, with very little community input.”
The City of Yes — introduced by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, and later passed in late 2024 — is the most significant citywide zoning initiative since the 1960s. It aims to bring a city-estimated 80,000 units of new housing to the five boroughs through a series of zoning regulation changes to things like accessory dwelling units, parking mandates and transit-oriented development.
Community leaders contend that the roughly 10,000-square-foot corner-lot property on Uncas Avenue and Alborn Road is being sized up for at least five homes. The site measures less than 230 feet wide, qualifying it for higher-density development under the city’s zoning laws.
Joining Morano was a contingent of local Republican elected officials: Councilmember David Carr, who represents Mid-Island; Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, who represents the East Shore of Staten Island and part of South Brooklyn; and Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, who represents Mid-Island. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also attended.
Morano denounced the zoning changes that allow increased housing density near transit zones even in areas without nearby train access.
Councilmember Morano speaks at 65 Uncas Ave., calling the “City of Yes” a giveaway to developers that threatens the borough’s character. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas)(For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas)
Carr, who voted against all three City of Yes proposals and is co-plantiff in the ongoing lawsuit challenging them, said the city’s environmental review was both misleading and incomplete.
“They did an environmental study for City of Yes Housing that claims that there’s only going to be 80 to 120,000 new units of housing created citywide in the next 10 years,” said Carr. “This development could have been a 14-unit development. Fourteen from one. So do we really think we’re not going to get above 120,000 new units in 10 years? That is not real math.”
Morano and Carr also urged residents to pay attention to ballot proposals 2, 3, 4, and 5, which they said would increase dense housing without community input.
Sliwa, who is again running for mayor, echoed that warning and accused city leaders of putting developer interests before residents.
“Because of the greedy developers and realtors who have wined, dined and pocket lined one-and-done Eric Adams, the most corrupt mayor in the history of New York City. He’s in the back pocket. He’s one and done,” said Sliwa. “So now it’s Andrew Cuomo who’s for the City of Yes. He’d probably be driving the dozer. And Eric Adams, his new partner in crime, would have the wrecking ball. And they would take delight into leveling your neighborhood for these greedy developers and realtors.”
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City speaks against the First City of Yes development on Staten Island. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas)(For the Advance/SILive.com | Am
Sliwa also criticized mayoral candidate and Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, accusing him of supporting what he described as unfair housing policies.
“But Zohran Mamdani is bored also,” said Sliwa. “He wants to put a special white tax on all of you property owners…We’re all Americans. The value of being an American is to live the American dream… You want a home of your own. Keep your greedy hands, developers and realtors off people’s property who want to stay in their neighborhood.”
Permits filed for Uncas Avenue property
According to the city Buildings Department, the only permit filed for the property on Uncas Avenue calls for the reallocation of one zoning lot and one tax lot into one zoning lot and five tax lots, which would allow for the construction of five homes on the site.
A tax lot is a parcel of land identified for property tax purposes. A zoning lot is one or more adjacent tax lots within a block.
The requested permit has been assigned to a Buildings Department plan examiner, but has yet to be formally reviewed, according to the agency. It was originally filed Sept. 26.
Other projects now possible
In September, the Adams administration announced the city has officially begun accepting applications for the construction of “safe, and code-compliant ancillary dwelling units” in the five boroughs of New York City.
Acceptable types of ADUs under new city rules include basement apartments, attic apartments in one-family homes, and backyard cottages on the same lot as one- and two-family residential homes, that can be used by household family members or rented out long-term.
Councilmember David Carr voted against the “City of Yes” proposals and is co-plaintiff in the ongoing lawsuit challenging them. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas)(For the Advance/SILive.com | Am
However, many Staten Island residents and elected officials have spoken out against the plan. The major concern is the new units built do not require onsite parking, like other housing in the borough. And on car-dependent Staten Island, parking can be scarce in some residential areas.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.