A nine-story mixed use development is planned where Shalimar Diner was once located (DCP).
Nov. 11, 2020 By Christian Murray
A public hearing will be held Thursday to discuss a developer’s plan to rezone a Rego Park site to make way for a nine-story, 74-unit building where the Shalimar Diner was located.
The hearing, which will be held by Community Board 6 via Zoom starting at 6:30 p.m., will provide the public with the ability to weigh in on the proposal that involves rezoning a large parcel on the south east corner of 63rd Drive and Austin Street.
People looking to comment are required to register and must e-mail the Community Board 6 office at QN06@CB.NYC.GOV before 3 p.m. Nov. 12.
The site, which has an official address of 91-32 63rd Dr., is currently located in a R4 zoning district—with a C2-2 commercial overlay—which typically allows for a three-story mixed use building, according to City Planning documents
The applicant, David Koptiev, the owner of the Forest Hills-based company Platinum Realty, requires a zoning change to a R7A district with a C2-3 commercial overlay in order to move forward with the 9-story plan.
The plan involves the development of 74 units, with 24 of the units to be designated as Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors (AIRS). The affordable units would target seniors earning less that 80 percent Area Median Income in accordance with the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. For a couple, 80 percent is $72,800 per year.
The development would consist of 24 studios, 24 one-bedroom units and 26 two-bedroom units, which would be located on floors 2 through 9.
The plans were certified by City Planning on Oct. 5, marking the beginning of the public review process.
The plans– since a zoning change is needed–are now going before Community Board 6 for review. The board is required to hold a public hearing before issuing an advisory opinion on the project and whether a zoning change should be permitted.
The plans will then go to the Queens Borough President’s office for another advisory opinion, before going to the City Planning Commission and then the city council for a binding vote.
The plan will ultimately need the support of Council Member Karen Koslowitz, since it is customary for the council to vote according to the wishes of the representative where the zoning change is proposed.
Koslowitz has yet to weigh in on the project and a spokesperson for her office said she will not come to a decision until a final plan has been produced.
“This plan is not written in stone, and like most ULURP applications, there will be modifications,” Koslowitz’s spokesperson said last month. “Essentially, the general question to be considered is this: is the added density that this project will create justified by the added number of sorely needed affordable units?”
The public review process is expected to take about six months.
Koptiev aims to complete the project in 2022, according to City Planning filings.
Department of City Planning
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