Petition in Support of Community Board 3’s Request for Full Review of the LaGuardia Marriott Restrictive Declaration Modification

PURPOSE OF THIS PETITION

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, stakeholders, and supporters of East Elmhurst and Community District 3, support Community Board 3’s request that the New York City Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission fully address outstanding legal, environmental, infrastructure, and community concerns before taking action on the proposed LaGuardia Marriott Restrictive Declaration Modification.

This petition is not intended to oppose housing development in principle. Rather, it seeks to ensure that any development of this scale proceeds through a transparent process that includes meaningful community engagement, thorough environmental review, adequate infrastructure planning, and enforceable community benefits.

WHEREAS

• The application proposes approximately 535 residential units, including senior housing, retail space, and community facility space on a site historically governed by the 1979 Restrictive Declaration.
• The project has been characterized as a “minor modification” despite its significant size, density, and potential impact on the surrounding community.
• Community Board 3 and local residents were not meaningfully involved during years of project planning and were only recently made aware that the application was moving toward approval.
• Residents have raised concerns that the proposed uses are not hotel-related uses and may be inconsistent with the original intent of the 1979 Restrictive Declaration.
• Serious questions remain regarding the legal basis for classifying this proposal as a minor modification rather than requiring a more comprehensive public review process.
• East Elmhurst continues to experience flooding challenges, aging sewer infrastructure, and stormwater management issues that may be aggravated by a development of this magnitude.
• Residents and Community Board members have questioned whether adequate traffic, pedestrian safety, sewer, drainage, stormwater, and infrastructure studies have been conducted.
• Concerns remain regarding impacts on transportation, schools, healthcare services, public safety, parking availability, neighborhood character, and quality of life.
• Questions remain regarding affordable housing commitments, affordability levels, local resident preferences, local hiring opportunities, and enforceable community benefits.
• Community Board 3 supports responsible housing and economic development, but believes development must occur with meaningful public participation and appropriate protections for existing residents.

THEREFORE, WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING:

1. Ensure Meaningful Community Participation

• Provide Community Board 3 and local residents with a meaningful opportunity to review and comment before any final decision is made.
• Conduct additional public meetings and engagement sessions as necessary.

2. Require Comprehensive Environmental Review

• Fully evaluate flooding, sewer capacity, stormwater management, traffic, air quality, noise, pedestrian safety, construction impacts, and cumulative neighborhood impacts.
• Publicly explain how these impacts will be mitigated.

3. Address Infrastructure Concerns

• Ensure that transportation, sewer, drainage, and public infrastructure systems can adequately support the proposed development.
• Identify and fund any necessary improvements before project approval.

4. Clarify Compliance with the Restrictive Declaration

• Provide a written explanation of how the proposal complies with the purpose and intent of the 1979 Restrictive Declaration.
• Explain the basis for treating the application as a minor modification.

5. Secure Community Benefits

• Establish enforceable affordable housing commitments.
• Consider local preferences for housing opportunities.
• Promote local hiring and workforce opportunities.
• Address requests for transportation improvements, open space, public amenities, and community services.

6. Respond to Outstanding Questions

• Answer the concerns raised by Community Board 3 regarding environmental impacts, traffic, flooding, infrastructure, public services, and neighborhood compatibility prior to any approval.

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, that the undersigned support Community Board 3’s letter to the Department of City Planning and respectfully request that no decision be made regarding the proposed LaGuardia Marriott Restrictive Declaration Modification until the concerns identified by Community Board 3 and the affected community have been thoroughly reviewed and appropriately addressed.