Here’s the background:
• Earlier this year, a real estate developer filed an application to RE-ZONE the property located on the south side of Northern Boulevard at 158-06 Northern Boulevard. The application was to establish a R7A zoning district with a C2-4 commercial overlay. The rezoning includes a new ten-story, mixed-use building for approximately 76 dwelling units including 19 units for affordable housing. The city extended the area for re-zoning to include two additional parcels of land on Northern Boulevard from 158 to 159 Streets and a parcel on 159 Street.
• The re-zoning application has gone through the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) beginning with a vote by Community Board 7, where it was voted against 26 to 10.
• A vote was then taken by the Queens Borough President, who voted to advance the application with a slight modification.
• The application was then brought before the City Planning Commission who voted to advance the application to the City Council.
• On October 8, the City Council voted to approve the application with modification to remove one parcel of land on 159 Street, and reduction in height to nine stories.
What we are doing about it:
• It was determined that the parcel of land to build the mixed-use building has perpetual deed restrictions in accordance with the Rickert-Finlay Covenant, the same restrictions that protect certain properties in Broadway-Flushing, as well as Douglas Manor, Bellcourt, and Westmoreland.
• The deed restrictions are an overlay above city zoning. However, they are “private agreements” and must be enforced by legal action.
• The Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association has successfully enforced the Covenant several times since 1987 and has never lost a lawsuit.
• The BFHA has retained legal counsel to once again uphold the covenant
What you can do:
• Over the years, the Association has kept careful watch and growth of its treasury and Legal and Reserve Fund. A lawsuit demands much work and is costly. The Legal and Reserve Fund must remain solvent and stand ready to take all necessary legal action.
• As always, we are counting on the generous support of all homeowners to enforce the perpetual deed restrictions and prevent an unwanted and completely out-of-character mixed-use development on Northern Boulevard.
• A working committee has developed a plan to strengthen the Association’s Legal and Reserve Fund, and it begins immediately with a solicitation for your generous NON-tax-deductible donation. EVERY donation in any amount is greatly appreciated, and we hope that as many homeowners as possible can please consider a donation in the range of $250 and above. You can mail a check payable to Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association at P.O. Box 580024, Flushing, NY 11358, pay by Zelle to President@broadwayflushing.org, or via PayPal at www.broadwayflushing.org. If you prefer, payments can be made in installments.
The Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association was established in 1964. Among its many accomplishments has been to preserve our single-family zoned community, and enforcement of the deed restrictions. Our neighborhood is fortunate to have a strong tool above city zoning to protect Broadway-Flushing. We ask you to please help the Association. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out by email: President@broadwayflushing.org
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