WHAT'S HAPPENING?
THE FLUSHING WATERFRONT REZONING
In December of 2019, a new ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) process began to rezone downtown Flushing and the Flushing waterfront, allowing the construction of over 1,700 luxury condos and offices.
Despite concerns from the Flushing community, especially from youth and low-income communities of color, about the environmental, social, and economic damages that would result from the plan, the ULURP process has continued.
Rezoning has and is being used as a strategy by luxury developers to gentrify New York City and displace long-standing, vibrant communities. We don’t want this happening to Flushing.
BUT WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT IT?
SEPTEMBER 16TH
On September 16th, the City Planning Commission is set to have their public hearing on Wednesday at 10AM. As a community, we have to show up to voice our concerns against the Flushing rezoning. We demand for real affordable housing, more community centers, and environmental protection rather than more luxury buildings. This hearing is the fourth phase of the ULURP process, and it is more important than ever for us to show up.
THE ULURP PROCESS
*ULURP = Uniform Land Use Review Procedure*
WHY ULURP?
The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure is a standardized procedure whereby applications affecting the land use of the city would be publicly reviewed (i.e. changes to the city map, designation or change to zoning districts, housing).
FLUSHING REZONING
The flushing rezoning is considered a change in zoning district. The City Planning Committee must hold a public hearing approve with modifications or disapprove the application within 60 days.
WHERE ARE WE?
We are on the fourth phase of the ULURP process. To discourage further action on the rezoning, we need to, as a community, show up and spread awareness about the negative consequences of rezoning.
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING?
A brief timeline of the rezoning prior to the ULURP process to understand how we've gotten to this point and why we need to fight.
2008
Mayor Bloomberg announces plans to rezone areas in Queens, including Flushing.
“At Willets Point, our plan will transform what is now a highly contaminated area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood, with new housing, parks and thousands of jobs” - Bloomberg
December 2019
A massive waterfront rezoning and special district application had been certified by the City Planning Commission, initiating the seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure that could make it a reality.
February 10, 2020
Hundreds of community members turned out to participate in the Public Hearing and Vote on #FlushingRezoning by Queens Community Board 7. CB7 finally voted 30-8 to approve Flushing rezoning and forward the land-use process to the Queens Borough President.
February 20, 2020
Members of the Flushing for Equitable Development & Urban Planning (FED UP) Coalition appeared at the Land Use Public Hearing at Queens Borough Hall to call on Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee to formally oppose the Special Flushing Waterfront District (SFWD)
March 13, 2020
Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee has rejected a land use application to rezone a piece of the Flushing Creek waterfront for residential use, a proposal that would facilitate a large mixed-use development in Downtown Flushing.
March 19, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an executive order on March 16, 2020 freezing all ULURP processes and applications, including the SFWD rezoning proposal.
Currently
Mass protests occurring throughout the city against rezoning efforts. The Flushing rezoning is not an isolated event and it is up to us to protect our communities.
September 16, 2020
The City Planning Commission is set to have their public hearing on Wednesday, September 16th at 10AM. By showing up, we are able to amplify our voices against the rezoning efforts.