Release: Avella Denounces Plans for Vacant Whitestone Lot

(QUEENS, NY) State Senator Tony Avella today called on the developer of a vacant lot in Whitestone to immediately abandon recently-announced plans to construct more than 100 townhomes on the property.

Edgestone Group, LLC, which owns the 15-acre lot located at 151-45 6th Road, announced at a meeting Tuesday night that the company plans to build 107 townhouses on the empty site, formerly known as the Bayrock property. This plan would bring a total of 203 new residential units to the neighborhood, nearly four times the number of units that was agreed upon in 2008 when the community board and City Council negotiated a plan for 52 single-family homes to be constructed at the site.

Last month, Senator Avella issued a warning against developers who may be preparing plans to build high-density housing at this site. The surrounding community has joined Senator Avella in expressing strong opposition to any construction outside of the originally agreed-upon plan for detached, single-family houses that will coincide with the existing character of the area.

“This developer is declaring war on the community. When I was a City Councilman representing this area in 2008, the neighborhood made it very clear that they would not accept the construction of anything other than single-family homes at this site. That sentiment was supported by the Community Board and City Council when they approved a plan for 52 detached homes to be built. It is unacceptable for a developer to come in and challenge that plan, and this kind of threat to the neighborhood will not be tolerated. It is time for us to take a stand against overdevelopment once and for all. Enough is enough. We are prepared to fight this project proposed by Edgestone Group and will not stand to see another residential area succumb to overdevelopment,” said Senator Avella.