The firm Madison Realty Capital has asked for a rezoning in order to build two towers at 69-02 Queens Blvd., which formerly was home to a gas station/car wash. The 1/2M sq ft project consists of 561 residential units and 5,600 sq ft of retail. Of this, 169 apartments would be considered “affordable” and priced at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Plans call for 242 parking spaces.

As-of-right, thanks to the 2006 Queens Blvd rezoning, 2 towers 11 stories and 12 stories high containing 289 apartments, with 58 affordable could still be built there. Developers would provide 149 parking spaces, 14,160 sq ft of retail space and 10,940 sq ft of “community facility” space. Queens Community Board 2 voted it down and it was on the way to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz for review as we went to press. The final vote will happen sometime this summer at the City Council, which usually supports the position of the home rule council member. Council Member Holden has voiced opposition, citing overcrowded schools and strain on municipal services such as sewers and trash pickup.