City Council OKs sweeping rezoning for Jamaica, Queens

City Council Votes to Rewrite Jamaica, Queens' Development Blueprint

A sweeping rezoning of Jamaica, Queens has been approved by the City Council, paving the way for a radical transformation of a 230-block area. The plan, which was voted on unanimously and is expected to be one of the largest in New York City in decades, aims to create thousands of new homes, jobs, and community spaces.

According to city officials, the rezoning will result in the construction of 12,000 new homes, including 4,000 deemed affordable. This influx of housing is predicted to generate more than 7,000 new jobs, thanks to the creation of over 2 million square feet of commercial space. The plan also includes upgrades to local infrastructure such as sewers and parks.

Councilmember Nantasha Williams described the rezoning as a key step in revitalizing Jamaica, saying "we are building a Jamaica that is walkable, vibrant and thriving". The Council's decision comes despite vocal opposition from local residents who expressed concerns about increased density, higher rents, and the potential impact on small businesses.

Mayor Eric Adams welcomed the Council's action, stating that it will help to modernize Jamaica's outdated zoning code. "From bustling storefronts to busy train lines, Jamaica is exactly where our city should be building new housing and creating new jobs," he said.

City planners believe that the rezoning will also make the most of Jamaica's proximity to JFK Airport, improving access to other parts of the city. The plan was developed by the Department of City Planning, which director Dan Garodnick hailed as a major step forward for the neighborhood.

omg this is crazy! i mean idc if people are worried about density and rents but at least its not just empty warehouses lol. 12k new homes sounds like a dream come true for ppl who cant afford it now. & 7k new jobs? that's awesome, can't wait to see the community spaces & parks get upgraded too

also i gotta wonder how they're gonna make sure its walkable & thriving tho? like what about traffic and noise pollution? but hey at least the mayor is thinking ahead with JFK airport connection. lets keep our fingers crossed that this whole thing works out for actual ppl, not just big corp

I'm kinda mixed about this rezoning deal... on one hand, 12k new homes and 7k jobs are always a good thing , but at what cost? The density is gonna be crazy high and I'm worried those small shops might get pushed out . And what's the plan for affordable housing, really? 4k units seem like a drop in the bucket compared to the whole area... still, it's Jamaica so maybe this will bring some life to the neighborhood

omg I think this is a huge win for Queens and NYC as a whole the fact that they're creating 12k new homes and jobs is def going to benefit so many people and it's awesome that councilmember Nantasha Williams is thinking about building a "walkable, vibrant" community. i'm not surprised that some locals were opposed but I think we gotta consider progress and growth sometimes and who knows maybe this will be a chance for small businesses to thrive in new areas? anyway, let's hope it all works out for Jamaica and the rest of Queens

omg yaaas!! finally something good happening in jamaica qns!! i'm low-key hyped about all those new homes and jobs comin thru this is exactly what we need to revitalize the area and make it more vibrant councilmember nantasha williams is on point with her vision for a walkable and thriving jamaica i just hope they don't forget about the small businesses but overall, i'm super stoked about this new development blueprint

idk about this one . they're just gonna cram way more people into jamaica queens? it feels like a recipe for disaster to me. i mean, 12k new homes and 7k jobs is nice and all, but what about the community spaces and stuff? are we gonna lose those small shops and cafes that make the place feel like home?

OMG, I'm so hyped about this rezoning in Jamaica, Queens!!! It's gonna bring so much life and energy to that area, I can already imagine all the new shops and restaurants popping up! The thought of 12,000 new homes and 4,000 affordable ones is just amazing, it's like a breath of fresh air for that community. I do hope they make sure those affordable housing units are actually accessible to the people who need them most tho . Anyway, I'm so here for this positive change and can't wait to see Jamaica thrive!

I'm all about finding balance in life, you know? This rezoning plan in Jamaica, Queens seems like it's gonna bring a lot of positive change to the area. More homes and jobs can only be good for the community, right? I do hope they're careful with the infrastructure upgrades though - we don't want any major headaches down the line.

I love that Councilmember Nantasha Williams is all about creating a walkable, vibrant Jamaica. That sounds like exactly what this area needs! And it's awesome to see Mayor Eric Adams on board with this plan too. I just hope they're listening to some of the local concerns and doing what's best for everyone involved.

It's also interesting to think about how this rezoning will impact the community spaces - we need more parks, gyms, and other places for people to relax and be healthy, you know?

omg u guys cant even imagine how lit this is for queensboro! 12k new homes and 7k new jobs? that's straight fire i'm lowkey hyped for this rezoning plan, especially with the affordable units - it's gonna be a game changer for ppl who actually need access to housing also can't wait to see what kinda shops and restaurants pop up in all these new spaces

I gotta say... I'm all about growth and progress . This rezoning in Jamaica, Queens is definitely a big deal! 12,000 new homes? That's a lot of people getting a chance to start fresh or expand their families . And the jobs, oh man, 7,000 new ones? That's some serious economic growth .

But here's the thing... we gotta think about the bigger picture . We're not just talking about a bunch of buildings and streets, we're talking about people's lives. What are their needs going to be in this transformed Jamaica? Are they gonna have access to green spaces? Affordable housing? Community facilities that cater to their needs?

It's all about balance, you know? We need to make sure we're not sacrificing one aspect of our community for the sake of progress. The council members seem to have taken a thoughtful approach here, but it's still up to us as residents to ensure that this growth is truly for everyone.

I dont get why they need to change everything at once like what if its not all good news? I mean theyre creating 12000 new homes but theres still people complaining about increased density and rents going up is that a trade off worth it?

this is good news i guess they're trying to build more homes and stuff in jamaica queens which should be helpful but its gonna be interesting to see how it all plays out and whether the new residents will actually end up living there or just passing through...