Astoria Mixed-Use Development Proposal Unveiled by City Planning Commission

The City Planning Commission reviewed a proposed mixed-use development for 4211 30th Avenue during a session on February 18, 2025, in which planners detailed a plan aiming to enhance housing and commercial opportunities in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. The proposal includes a five-story residential building with approximately 39,900 square feet of space, which would house 32 dwelling units, including eight designated as income-restricted.

The development will occupy a site that currently includes a one-story commercial building, which is home to the Key Foods grocery store. Under the new proposal, this grocery store will continue to operate on the ground floor, where it will occupy about 9,700 square feet of retail space. The project seeks to amend the zoning map from an existing R5 C12 zoning district to an R6A C24 zoning district, along with a zoning text amendment to establish a mandatory inclusionary housing area under options one and two.

The planning changes would increase the maximum allowable residential floor area ratio (FAR) from 1.5 to 3.9, mandating that 25% of the dwelling units be income-restricted for households earning an average of 60% of the area median income. Planners noted that the surrounding area features a mix of residential and commercial use that aligns with the intended development site’s character. The project aims to provide enhanced economic and housing opportunities while addressing community needs for affordable housing (Source: https://youtu.be/WmOOtRidnUw&t=720).

Commission members acknowledged that the proposed residential building would feature a street wall height of 60 feet along 30th Avenue, with a 15-foot setback on the fourth floor facing 43rd Street. Additional developments include building entrances along 30th Avenue and a commercial loading zone along 43rd Street to facilitate accessibility for both residents and businesses.

Planners have emphasized the importance of community feedback throughout the planning process. Local residents have expressed a strong desire for more housing options, particularly for lower-income households, along with improved public spaces that promote community engagement. The commission’s ongoing discussions focus on meeting these local priorities while integrating new developments in ways that resonate with the current character of Astoria (Source: https://youtu.be/WmOOtRidnUw&t=554).