SUNNYSIDE — Officials will hold a public meeting later this month to discuss a developer's plan to build a 10-story affordable apartment building on Barnett Avenue, which has drawn the ire of some residents who say the project is too big.
The town hall will take place Oct. 26 and will include a presentation by Phipps Houses, which will outline its proposal to build a 220-unit affordable building on Barnett Avenue, between 50th and 52nd Streets, on the site of what's now a parking lot.
Queens Community Board 2 and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer are hosting the meeting to "ensure all local residents are aware," of the plans, according to the lawmaker.
"It is important that all residents know that this project is only at the proposal stage," Van Bramer said. "All feedback is pivotal to this process and we welcome all residents to share their comments, questions and concerns."
Phipps Houses will be applying for a zoning change in order to build housing at the site, which is currently zoned for manufacturing. The proposal will need to undergo a public review process before it can be built.
More than 300 people have signed an online petition against the plan, saying the building would "tower" over the rest of the neighborhood and make finding a parking spot more difficult.
But Phipps Houses says it designed the building to blend in with the surrounding areas as much as possible, and that the project would address the city's housing needs since all of its units would be affordable.
The meeting will take place Oct. 26 at the Phipps Garden Community Center at 51-01 39th Ave. in Sunnyside. To RSVP or for more information, call Van Bramer's office at (718) 383-9566.
