Rendering Accompanying Permit
Sept. 5, 2018 By Christian Murray
The developers of the controversial 82nd Street development have been told by the city that big-box stores like Target can not operate on the site.
The Department of Buildings issued a stop work order against developers Sun Equity Partners and Heskel Group on the grounds that the 40-31 82nd Street building–designed for Target–does not conform to zoning code.
The latest plan for the site—after the developers pulled their rezoning application for a 13-story building last month—was for a two-story structure to be built with the retail giant in mind. The developers filed plans for the two-story structure last year as a backup in the event that the rezoning application fell through.
The stop work order, issued after the permit was challenged by Queens Neighborhood United, stems from Target not conforming to the commercial “use group” code zoned for the site.
The site, currently zoned as R6/C1-3, is only supposed to be for commercial buildings (excluding hotels) that provide “local consumer needs,” such as laundromats and small foods stores. The developer filed plans with Target in mind, evidenced by the lease it signed with the corporation in 2017.
The zoning text pertaining to the site only permits six use groups. Groups one through four are for residential use; group five is for transient hotels; and six is for local consumer needs.
Target, a regional store, falls outside the use groups, according to the DOB.
The stop work order was issued on Aug. 29 based on it not meeting the intended use group.
“If the developer wishes to proceed with the project, they will need to revise their plans to satisfy the objections noted in the accepted challenge, and return to the Department of Buildings with the revised plans,” according to a DOB spokesperson. “The other option is to seek a zoning variance with the Board of Standard & Appeals.”
The revocation of the plan stems from a challenge to the building permit—initially approved by the DOB on May 31. The DOB approved the plan for the two-story building, which called for retail in the cellar and ground floor, and medical offices on the second floor. The plan also included space for 124 parking spaces.
The DOB allows the public to challenge building permits within 45 days of their issuance.
“The Zoning Resolution is clear that only retail that meets neighborhood needs—small stores where residents can buy essentials—is allowed on this lot in Elmhurst. Residents simply asked the DOB to do its job—and it did,” said Paula Segal, attorney for Queens Neighborhood United.
The Queens Neighborhood United organization has been fighting against the development for over a year—which resulted last month in the developers formally withdrawing their application to rezone the property that would have permitted the 13-story building—including 120 apartments and Target.
“This is a case where it is very, very clear that the developers are not listening to the community,” said Allison Park, a lifelong resident of Jackson Heights. “There is not a single community member who I’ve spoken with or worked with who expressed the desire to have a megastore, like Target, here.”
The developers could not be reached for comment. Target had no immediate comment.
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55 Comments
Jackson Heights needs a Target. Whomever is saying the people in the neighborhood don’t want it clearly have not asked us. I have to go to Queens Blvd to Target. They give way more options that these small business they want to keep adding. Target will only put small business out because that is where the people want to shop. They should also look into all the prostituion going on along Roosevelt Ave. Men standing at corner of 79th St. and 82nd St. Obvious what buisness they are running.
This is ridiculous. I was really looking forward to having a target within walking distance. The community stores are actually much smaller and more like a Duane Reade or Rite Aid. Target sells unique items at much lower prices and give back to the community and donates some of their profits to local schools. There is also a lot of prostution and illegal activity at night in that area. I think a target which is typically open until 11 would help to displace some of that as well.
Exactly, I agree with your statement. And just because someone has not met or spoken with a resident who does not welcome the Target in this area does not therefore mean we don’t exist. This Target would also offer jobs to residents of the community and the fact it’s in walking distance from Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, etc means savings on MTA fares. Please consider the benefits not just the negatives (if it’s a negative to improve the neighborhood appearance)
Ugh, this is why we can’t have nice things. Eyeroll.
82nd needs a Target store. It has other good stores like Old Navy, Banana Republica and Gap Factory which are always packed with people buying things. To get to the next closest target means going by the mall which has tons of traffic. Target sells a lot of household essential items and for a much better quality than those 99 cent stores. No more medical offices, no more 99 cent stores but a nice retail store to shop at. Jackson Heights needs a revamp since it is already filled with filthy men selling drugs, stabbing people and robbing them.
Based on the comments here you would think more residents want the development.
Did you know?
Every major store and pharmacy has face recognition in operation in NYC.
You were all unaware…
Only certain classes are ever arrested and prosecuted.
Think about it?
It was all to take away the rights of citizens.
Wake up you fools.
The tinfoil in your tinfoil hat needs to be replaced, the cosmic rays are getting through.
This is what a QNU member wrote on Facebook:”Josselyn Atahualpa what’s overlooked are the jobs, tax dollars and shoppers that are already in the community (actually probably not that’s why predatory corporations and real estate sharks come thru) My family owns 5 businesses between JH and Corona—they provide a lot of jobs to local community members and their businesses are doing pretty well. However, it would be corporate stores like Target that would put my family’s business out and that’s what QNU is working against.”
What is clear is that she is protecting her 5 businesses that are doing pretty well, at the expense of the consumer. She does not want competition, she wants her family to continue profiting from the community by keeping all potential competitors out of the neighborhood, and charging consumers higher prices.
Just put something useful there, anything is better than a empty lot
We want to attract business to the neighborhood NOT repel it .
We need a target we don’t need any more medical offices ,82st is very filthy and all those men they sell drugs. Thankyou.
Target won’t help get rid of those men selling drugs , that’s why NYPD needs to be on foot patrol on Roosevelt Ave , & Sanitation enforcement to clean up Roosevelt.
Police are already busy covering up the cocaine used and abused by politicians and wall street. Why do you think the work “so diligent”. Wake up americans, you have all been fooled.
Target needs to happen. Tired of the trash. This will not kill diversity or bring shot gentrification. I am Hispanic myself. It’s about convenience and jobs for the neighborhood.
The Target would be nice. It would save me a train fare to go to the one at Queens Place. They should hash this stuff out before they knock the building down, now you have an ugly empty lot for 5 years. We need less luxury condos in NYC. Any building with a 1.5 million dollar one bedroom should be taxed at transfer or sale on 25% of profit with the proceeds going to mass transit. We should also probihit LLCs from buying residential property, that’s a means to money launder for wealthy Chinese.
Target said it will hire locals , people from the neighborhood.
Well , that idea went out the window.
Big stores like Target creates jobs !
I prefer to see a Wal-mart .
The Russians own this country. Get over it.
it was sold already.
Federal Reserve doesnt own any gold at all. wake up you fools.
I thought China did,
Everything you buy is made in China.
I was really looking forward to a decent store that has a reputation of keeping the inside and out very clean and presentable with goods at a fair price. It’s the small business n as people, the mom and pop shop owners who must be opposing this. Maybe it will convince them into cleaning up and competing.
I HOPE THE DEVELOPER GOES BACK TO THE DEPT. OF BUILDINGS AND CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. TARGET WOULD BENEFIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE DONT NEED MÒRE FRUIT MARKETS MORE RESTAURANTS AND ESPECIALLY FOOD VENDORS. THAT BLOCK IS A DISGRACE
Mind your own business people.
If you notice, Target did not comment, so why are all of you?
Big G
We, as humans are a disgrace.
I lean on grace alone.
why not ALL of you?
its free
Yeah, what we need is a big corporation to make parking worse, traffic worse, and put all those small businesses under, right?
Not true. Since he Target would be in walking distance from most of the surrounding neighborhoods people can easily avoid driving there and can take their personal shopping carts to carry their purchases.
I know, 82nd street is ridiculous, street vendors with no license. It’s a free for all. And they object to a Target store. ? The people who bought this piece of land are probably sorry that they did.
Good so many of these commercials stores are taking over our sweet community! They should built a movie theater or a children sport and art center , we are in big need of that. Somewhere we’re our kids could be safe and have fun while the harsh winter hits us, and in the summer when parents are away for work kids usually get stuck with grandparents and stay at home watching tv. Why not have a basketball court or a track and have activities going on so our kids could be safe off these streets. The parks aren’t as safe as they used to most of these park are used for drugs and fight meets and these is what these kids are looking at! We need a kids center around here.
Then you should buy the property and build the movie theater, sport or art center or a kids center. It is amusing that you want to impose your vision on other people’s property.
Yes I’d LOVE to see something like a YMCA go into this site- it’s just what our community needs.
So you buy the land and build a YMCA
It’s the “C”, most reject.
You not understanding the truth behind politics, policy and police….they are the same gang.
It’s a gang.
We do need this and an indoor sports/kids activity center can be built above the Target store.
Big stores like target put the smaller stores out of business.
Big stores DO NOT put smaller stores out of business. The CONSUMER puts them out of business, because they prefer to spend their dollars at stores like Target
Yes!
Oy vey
What huge step backwards. I thought we wanted jobs? I thought we wanted to build
and grow our community? I thought we wanted to move away from the past (gangs, trash, and low economic growth) and a grow a community of the future and of prosperity. Our local politicians should be embarrassed to
Represent this borough.
This makes absolutely no sense.
The neighborhood needs a Gap Factory, a Banana Republic Factory, an Old Navy, and a few other name brand retailers but not a Target????? What’s the difference?
Who exactly are these losers trying to keep the neighborhood from developing? A big box retailer like Target will create jobs and improve the immediate vicinity, which is currently VERY slummy.
It seems these protesters want to see Jackson Heights become the next Corona.
People like Tania Mattos from Queens Neighborhood United.
Another win for the anti development radical socialist group QNU, and a big loss for the community. Because of radical groups like QNU, the neighborhood looks like a third world hell hole. All they want is run down buildings, crime, prostitution, garbage, litter, and keep dragging the community into mediocrity.
I knew Pancho Villa, and you, sir, are no Pancho Villa.
(Next time try googling the name before choosing one that has nothing to do with your racist nonsense.)
If you think no one in the community wants a Target in Jackson Heights, you are truly misinformed.
All I can say is that I am from the community and I was excited about this project and I know many others who have been in this neighborhood longer than me who support it as well. Unfortunately, the 3 people who are screaming the loudest are the ones who are being heard right now. I wish this organization would focus their attention away from obscure zoning laws and ACTUALLY focus on something positive for the community, like the poor state of the 7 train infrastructure, or the trash problems along Roosevelt.
Reasons are gentrification.
Some people are about diversity. Lets keep it simple.
Gentrification only happens in ghettos. Jackson Heights is not a ghetto in case you did not know
Jackson Heights is a ghetto underneath Roosevelt Avenue and the neighborhood does become seedy as you go towards Junction Boulevard.
Ghettos existed during the WW II days in Poland.
Not here, do your research….
What is its that the community says it wants? another 99c store? another nail salon? another beauty parlor? telephone store? restaurant? 82nd st on that block is filthy with people cooking and filling everything with smoke [isn;t there a sanitation law for that?] people selling junk, blocking the sidewalks and nothing of real value to buy for the neighborhood. Why not make a multilevel parking lot? that’s about the only thing that many people need in this area. This is ridiculous –
Ah c’mon, the fabric of Roosevelt is food trucks and over stuffed garage cans. That should not ever change. But give us a quick and dirty Target where we can go to for essentials and world order will be restored.
Great comment!!
I like the Municipal Parking Lot idea. Far be it for Politicians to get behind anything that remotely serves residents or the local Business community.
The sad part is both Moya and Katz support the original megatower.
In the end, somebody will probably pay cash to allow this project. Money always talks with greed and corruption.
That’s because Moya and Katz are Republicans in Democrats clothing.