The proposal to rezone Long Island City, which could bring tens of thousands of new homes to the Queens neighborhood, advanced this week with a key approval. On Wednesday, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, which would rezone a 54-block industrial section of the waterfront to make way for 14,700 homes, with at least 4,300 of them permanently affordable, the most homes created by a neighborhood rezoning in 25 years. The plan also calls for more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial space, as well as a continuous, publicly accessible waterfront from Gantry Plaza State Park to Queensbridge Park.
Mayor Eric Adams praised the commission’s approval of the OneLIC plan, calling it the next chapter in the neighborhood’s evolution from its industrial roots.
“From a thriving industrial hub to a home for artists and entrepreneurs, Long Island City has led many lives over the years,” Adams said. “Our ‘OneLIC Plan’ will help Long Island City write the next great chapter in its history, making sure families can find an affordable place, businesses can find a good place to grow, and everyone can access and enjoy the waterfront throughout the neighborhood.”
While much of LIC has seen rapid development over the last two decades, sections of the neighborhood are underutilized, with new housing prevented by current zoning rules.
As 6sqft previously reported, the plan updates zoning rules to allow for high-density mixed residential, commercial, and light industrial uses along the waterfront, from the East River waterfront to Crescent Street and Queens Plaza North to 47th Avenue. One segment would reach up to 39th Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets.
High- and medium-density mixed-use residential, commercial, and light-manufacturing buildings would be allowed north of the Queensboro Bridge, between 21st and 23rd Streets. On 44th Drive, the rezoning would permit medium-density residential, commercial, and light-manufacturing developments.
For the first time in the neighborhood’s history, Mandatory Inclusionary Housing would be applied, requiring 20 to 30 percent of new apartments to be permanently affordable.
The city will also redevelop three city-owned sites near Anable Basin: 44-36 Vernon Boulevard, 4-99 44th Drive, and 44-59 45th Avenue. This area includes where Amazon tried and failed to build a headquarters in 2019, as 6sqft previously reported.
According to the city, the 3.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial space is expected to generate 14,400 new jobs.
The plan calls for a continuous, accessible waterfront from Gantry Plaza State Park to Queensbridge Park. The city would update the Hunters Point North Waterfront Access Plan to require all waterfront sites to contribute to a publicly accessible waterfront.
In April, the city launched the public review for the plan, following a two-year engagement process that included 15 public meetings with 1,600 participants.
“Long Island City has long been one of the fastest growing communities in the country thanks to its vibrant waterfront, exciting arts and culture scene, nightlife and changing economy. But we know that kind of rapid community growth can price out longtime residents and put it out of reach for all but a lucky few,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said.
“While there’s no such thing as a perfect plan, I believe OneLIC is a vital step forward in preserving the unique character of Long Island City, while ensuring it can remain home for anyone regardless of their place on the socioeconomic spectrum.”
OneLIC is the fifth neighborhood plan under Adams to enter the public review process. Others include Midtown South—approved by the City Council in August—Jamaica, Atlantic Avenue, and the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan.
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