Headed for Approval: Rezoning for Affordable Housing in Far Rockaway

The New York City neighborhood of Far Rockaway will see the latest of the rezoning proposals at the center of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's affordable housing plan.

1 minute read

August 24, 2017, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Far Rockaway

sevenMaps7 / Shutterstock

"The City Council’s land use committee unanimously approved a rezoning of Far Rockaway on Tuesday, clearing the way for a full Council vote on the plan to transform 23 blocks of the Queens neighborhood," reports Eddie Small. The full council is expected to vote on the rezoning in the next few weeks.

"The Far Rockaway rezoning plan covers 23 blocks and would bring more than 3,000 residential units to the neighborhood, according to the city’s Economic Development Corporation," explains Small. There's more detail on the envisioned goals of the plan:

This is the first rezoning to hit Far Rockaway since 1961, and the EDC estimates that, in addition to the more than 3,000 new residential units, it will also create approximately 250,000 square feet of commercial space, 86,000 square feet of community space and 30,000 square feet of open space. 

Planetizen first caught wind of the Far Rockaway rezoning as part of an investment plan to revitalize the neighborhood in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. If approved, the Far Rockaway rezoning would join other recent rezoning efforts like East New York and Midtown East. Next up on the list could be East Harlem.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in The Real Deal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post