Whitestone Rezoning
Previous Whitestone zoning
Prior to 2005, Whitestone was divided with almost 50% of the area having single-family zoning (R1-2
and R2), 25% with R3-1 (red), which allows one and two-family semi-attached houses; and 25% R3-2
and R4 (blue) which allows for multi-family apartment units. Also, a small area at the waterfront was
zoned M1-1, which allows manufacturing. Teardowns of older housing began to occur in the late 1990s,
accelerating a decade later, with new McMansion-type housing increasingly built due to "flexible" zoning
and building laws in the R1 and R2 zones. Also, teardowns of single-family houses in the R3-1 zone
were increasingly replaced with semi-attached two-family houses and in the R3-2 were followed by the
construction of multi-family buildings.
and R2), 25% with R3-1 (red), which allows one and two-family semi-attached houses; and 25% R3-2
and R4 (blue) which allows for multi-family apartment units. Also, a small area at the waterfront was
zoned M1-1, which allows manufacturing. Teardowns of older housing began to occur in the late 1990s,
accelerating a decade later, with new McMansion-type housing increasingly built due to "flexible" zoning
and building laws in the R1 and R2 zones. Also, teardowns of single-family houses in the R3-1 zone
were increasingly replaced with semi-attached two-family houses and in the R3-2 were followed by the
construction of multi-family buildings.
Current zoning based on Paul's plans
After the adoption of the Whitestone Rezoning that I co-authored in 2005, most of the R2 zoning was
replaced with the R2A (yellow) anti-McMansion zone, with 20 additional blocks added in to the R2A
zone that were formerly zoned R3-1 and R3-2. The former Cresthaven property in the northern part of
Whitestone was rezoned from R3-2 to R2 to only allow single-family detached houses to be built.
Several blocks that have large lots were also rezoned R1-2 from R2 in order to minimize potential
subdivisions. Additionally, more than 75% of the former R3-1 zone was rezoned contextually to R3A
and R3X (orange) which allow only one and two-family detached houses. Also, more than 50% of the
R3-2 zones were rezoned to contextual one and two-family zones: R3-1 (red) which allows semi-attached
one and two-family houses; and R3A/R3X (orange) which allows one and two-family detached houses.
Many commercial overlays have also been reduced in order to curb "commercial creep" on side streets.
replaced with the R2A (yellow) anti-McMansion zone, with 20 additional blocks added in to the R2A
zone that were formerly zoned R3-1 and R3-2. The former Cresthaven property in the northern part of
Whitestone was rezoned from R3-2 to R2 to only allow single-family detached houses to be built.
Several blocks that have large lots were also rezoned R1-2 from R2 in order to minimize potential
subdivisions. Additionally, more than 75% of the former R3-1 zone was rezoned contextually to R3A
and R3X (orange) which allow only one and two-family detached houses. Also, more than 50% of the
R3-2 zones were rezoned to contextual one and two-family zones: R3-1 (red) which allows semi-attached
one and two-family houses; and R3A/R3X (orange) which allows one and two-family detached houses.
Many commercial overlays have also been reduced in order to curb "commercial creep" on side streets.
Articles
Another Whitestone rezoning draws ire, Queens Chronicle, 3/17/2011
Councilman Fights City Over His Own Violation, Queens Chronicle, 4/12/2007
Zoning Chair Cited For Illegal Pool, Queens Tribune, 4/5/2007
Councilman Fights City Over His Own Violation, Queens Chronicle, 4/12/2007
Zoning Chair Cited For Illegal Pool, Queens Tribune, 4/5/2007