City seeks St. Albans input on proposed affordable apartments at 109-43 Farmers Blvd.

# What the city is proposing Development (HPD) plans to build an affordable apartment building on city-owned property at 109-43 Farmers Blvd. in St. Albans. The lot currently holds a vacant, one-story building that formerly housed a daycare.

# How HPD is gathering feedback HPD is asking residents to weigh in through an online survey at nyc.gov/FarmersBlvd. The agency set a direct feedback window that runs through Oct. 16. This outreach is part of HPD's Neighborhood Builders Fast Track process, which compresses community engagement into a roughly 30-day period to speed delivery of housing on city-owned land.

# Timeline and scope

# Upcoming public presentations HPD plans a more extensive presentation to Community Board 12's Land Use Committee on Oct. 6. The Community Board's full meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21. Those meetings are where HPD expects to discuss possible building height, the potential need for rezoning, and other design details.

# Community concerns Rev. Carlene Thorbs, chairwoman of Community Board 12, identified the board's primary concern: ensuring homeowners are not overwhelmed by a large building casting shadows over nearby properties. That concern frames the community's likely focus during the Oct. 6 and Oct. 21 meetings.

# What's known and what's not Concrete facts available now: the site address (109-43 Farmers Blvd.), the property's current condition (vacant former daycare), the public feedback deadline (Oct. 16), and the scheduled CB12 presentations (Oct. 6 Land Use Committee, Oct. 21 full board). Missing details include the planned number of stories, unit counts for the St. Albans site, final zoning requirements, and construction financing or timeline beyond the preliminary two- to three-year estimate.

# What residents can do now

• Complete HPD's online survey at nyc.gov/FarmersBlvd before Oct. 16 to register preferences or concerns.
• Attend the Oct. 6 Land Use Committee presentation and the Oct. 21 full Community Board 12 meeting to hear HPD's presentation and raise questions about height, shadows, parking, and neighborhood impacts.
• Watch for HPD materials ahead of the Oct. 6 meeting if you want to prepare specific comments about design, unit mix, or local services.

# Bottom line