THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
RESOLUTION NO. 1691
Resolution approving the Willets Point Urban Renewal Plan, approving the designation of the area and approving the decision of the City Planning Commission on ULURP No. C 080384 HUQ (L.U. No. 783).
By Council Members Katz and Garodnick
WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission filed with the Council on September 29, 2008, its decision and report dated September 24, 2008 (the "Decision"), on the application submitted by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development ("HPD"), pursuant to Section 505 of Article 15 of the General Municipal Law of New York State and Section 197-c of the New York City Charter, regarding the proposed Willets Point Urban Renewal Plan (the "Plan") for the Willets Point Urban Renewal Area (the "Area") (ULURP No. C 080384 HUQ), Community District 7, Borough of Queens (the "Application");
WHEREAS, the Application is related to Applications Nos. C 080221 MMQ (L.U. No. 779), an amendment to the City Map for the elimination, discontinuance and closing of all streets within the Willets Point Urban Renewal Area including Willets Point Boulevard; 34th Avenue; 35th Avenue; 36th Avenue; 37th Avenue; 38th Avenue; 39th Avenue; 126th Place; 127th Street and 127th Place; C 080381 ZMQ (L.U. No. 780), an amendment to the Zoning Map; N 080382 ZRQ (L.U. No. 781), an amendment to the text of the Zoning Resolution; N 080383 HGQ (L.U. No. 782), designation of the Willets Point Urban Renewal Area; and C 080385 HDQ (L.U. No. 784), disposition of city-owned property;
WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission has certified that the Plan for the Area complies with the provisions of Section 502 of the General Municipal Law, conforms to the comprehensive community plan for the development of the municipality as a whole and is consistent with local objectives, and that the Plan is in conformity with the findings and designation of the Area;
WHEREAS, the Decision is subject to review and action by the Council pursuant to Section 197-d(b)(1) of the City Charter;
WHEREAS, the Area Designation is subject to review and action by the Council pursuant to Section 504 of the General Municipal Law;
WHEREAS, the Plan is subject to review and action by the Council pursuant to Section 505 of the General Municipal Law;
WHEREAS, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development submitted to the Council its recommendations regarding the Application on September 25, 2008;
WHEREAS, upon due notice, the Council held a public hearing on the Decision and the Plan on October 17, 2008;
WHEREAS, the Council has considered the land use and financial implications and other policy issues relating to the Decision and the Plan;
WHEREAS, the Council has considered the relevant environmental issues and the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS), for which a Notice of Completion was issued on September 12, 2008, the Technical Memorandum dated September 23, 2008 with respect to further modifications adopted by the City Planning Commission, and the Technical Memorandum dated November 12, 2008 (CEQR No. 07DME014Q);
RESOLVED:
Having considered the FGEIS and the Technical Memoranda, with respect to the Application, the Council finds that:
(1) The requirements of 6 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 617 have been met;
(2) Consistent with social, economic and other essential considerations, from among the reasonable alternatives thereto, the action is one which minimizes or avoids adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable; and
(3) The adverse environmental impacts disclosed in the FGEIS will be minimized or avoided to the maximum extent practicable by incorporating as conditions to the approval, those mitigative measures that were identified as practicable; and
(4) The Decision and the FGEIS constitute the written statement of facts, and of social, economic and other factors and standards, that form the basis of this determination, pursuant to 6 N.Y.C.R.R. §617.11(d).
Pursuant to Section 504 of the General Municipal Law, the Council approves the Designation of the Area.
Pursuant to Section 505(4) of the General Municipal Law, the Council finds that:
1. The Area is a substandard or insanitary area or is in danger of becoming a substandard or insanitary area and tends to impair or arrest the sound growth and development of the municipality;
2. The financial aid to be provided to the municipality is necessary to enable the project to be undertaken in accordance with the Plan;
3. The Plan affords maximum opportunity to private enterprise, consistent with the sound needs of the municipality as a whole, for the undertaking of an urban renewal program;
4. The Plan conforms to a comprehensive community plan for the development of the municipality as a whole;
5. There is a feasible method for the relocation of families and individuals displaced from the Area into decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, which are or will be provided in the Area or in other areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, at rents or prices within the financial means of such families or individuals, and reasonably accessible to their places of employment; and
6. The undertaking and carrying out of the urban renewal activities in stages is in the best public interest and will not cause any additional or increased hardship to the residents of the Area.
Pursuant to Section 505 of the General Municipal Law, the Council approves the Willets Point Urban Renewal Plan for the Willets Point Urban Renewal Area, dated April 2008.
Pursuant to Section 197-d of the New York City Charter, and on the basis of the Decision and Application, the Council approves the Decision.
Adopted.
Office of the City Clerk }
The City of New York, } ss.:
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution passed by The Council of The City of New York on November 13, 2008, on file in this office.
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City Clerk, Clerk of The Council