6 The Queens Courier • april 11, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Board greenlights short-stay hotel BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] The developer of an 18-story building in downtown Flushing received a key nod to operate as a short-stay hotel. Community Board 7 voted 30-8 to approve a variance with conditions that would allow developer Fleet Financial Group to function as a transient hotel over a residential one at 42-31 Union Street. Guests are required to rent rooms for at least 30 days in resident hotels, but can stay for shorter times in standard, transient ones. The city’s Economic Development Corporation gave developer Richard Xia approval to build a Westin Element extended stay hotel with 161 rooms, as well as a nine-story medical facility. The building’s foundation is already 70 percent complete. Xia, who purchased the property for $17 million, needs permission from both the community board and the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to stray from his original plans. “I think Flushing needs something like this,” said Xia, the site’s sole owner and president of Fleet Financial Group. “I’m pretty sure that by the time this building is done, it’s going to be something everybody likes. It’s going to provide a critical medical facility, which we need in this area.” There would be about 40 suites inside the 44,000-square-foot North Queens Medical Center, according to Vincent Petraro, the zoning and land use attorney representing Xia. Nearly 200 jobs would be created. “In the last few years, Queens has lost at least four hospitals,” Petraro said. “There is a need for medical space in this area and throughout Queens.” Some of the conditions the community board voted on include having the developer provide 300 paid, public parking spaces and a guest shuttle from the hotel to Main Street. The hotel also cannot offer catering, a restaurant or liquor, the board said. Xia is also seeking permission to build to 243 feet, which is the maximum height the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows. The FAA and Port Authority have already approved the height. Both applications now go to the BSA, which has not yet scheduled a public hearing. Neighbors of the site said construction has ruined their quality of life and caused the foundation of their century-old apartment building to crack. They have an ongoing petition against the next-door tower with 32 signatures so far. “Since the project started, everybody’s life is miserable,” said neighbor Erica Brassoi. “They’re destroying everybody’s life.” Xia, who lives and works in Flushing, agreed to delay morning construction by 30 minutes. He also offered to pay for the demolition of a neighboring church, which is slated to undergo its own expansion project. “I’m going to honor that in front of everyone in the community,” he said. “The noise won’t last forever.” Photo renderings courtesy of Fleet Financial Group This 18-story building in downtown Flushing received community board approval to operate as a transient hotel. GLEN BELLE CAR SERVICE #1 in Transportation for Northeast Queens Residents! Call to Inquire about our spring savings “Will Beat any Competitor’s Rate by 10%” 718.347.3222 Family Owned & Operated! NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________ 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB TLC-Base- #B-01250 $5 OFF ANY AIRPORT RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offers ends 4/30/13 $2 OFF ANY RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offer ends 4/30/13 SENIOR DISCOUNTS Newest Fleet. Lincoln Town Cars, Sedans, Mini-Vans, 14 Passenger Vans, & Ambulettes 24 Hour Service 7 Days NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________ BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads Nobody Beats Our Prices! FREE Shop At Home Service UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 4/26/13 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 Factory Showroom: 268 St. & Hillside Ave., Floral Park 1/4mi E. of Little Neck Pkwy. 1-800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. w.this ad. NOW AVAILABLE 0% Financing See store for details. $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 4/26/13 *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 4/26/13
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