"The Department of City Planning (DCP), led by Mayor Eric Adams-appointee Dan Garodnick, is rushing to finalize a proposed 230-block rezoning of Jamaica, Queens under the city's Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP). City Council members are now deciding whether to green light this gift to real estate developers. Under ULURP, City Council's deadline is Oct. 14, so their vote-that has not been publicly announced-will happen any day now. The Jamaica rezoning must first clear the council's Land Use Committee, which meets this Thursday, Oct. 9."
"The proposed land use changes would accelerate gentrification and fail to provide sufficient affordable housing for Jamaica's Black and brown residents who already struggle to pay rising rents. Meanwhile, the upzoning caters to the real estate industry by increasing the maximum density for new buildings, which would yield higher economic returns-usually in the form of more rent-to the owners of affected properties."
"Obscuring its pernicious effects, DCP officials market the rezoning as "The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan," calling it " a comprehensive vision crafted in collaboration with the vibrant community of Jamaica, Queens." DCP's project booklet leads off by stating " thousands of community members shaped the planning process." Despite presenting the plan as community-driven, city government's outreach to Jamaica residents has been woefully inadequate, and most have no idea that a ULURP is underway for this major rezoning that has profound implications for their lives."
The Department of City Planning seeks to finalize a 230-block rezoning of Jamaica, Queens through ULURP with a City Council vote due by Oct. 14 and a Land Use Committee hearing on Oct. 9. The rezoning increases maximum building density, favoring real estate developers and higher economic returns that typically translate into higher rents. The plan lacks guaranteed affordable homeownership and leaves other community benefits hypothetical. DCP markets the plan as community-driven, yet outreach to residents has been inadequate and many residents remain unaware of the rezoning's significant local impacts.
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