City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and members of his staff look over the proposed zoning maps. On May 5, City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., the Astoria Civic Association and the Department of City Planning (DCP) will hold a Town Hall informational session to discuss a rezoning study that is currently being conducted. The study allows for Astoria to be rezoned for the first time since 1961 in an effort to respond to community concerns that the current zoning relates poorly to established development patterns in Astoria and allows out-of-character new development. In addition to downzoning, the study also addresses the need for some areas to be upzoned to stimulate economic and business growth.

The Town Hall meeting will be an opportunity for the Department of City Planning to present the existing zoning, review its preliminary rezoning strategy and answer questions. The Department seeks to learn more about the public's zoning objectives and ways to best serve Astoria. All are invited to attend on Tuesday, May 5 at Riccardo's 21-01 24th Ave., from 8 to 9 p.m.

Out-of-character buildings, like this one, will no longer be allowed, once the new rezoning laws are instituted. Astoria was once a rural village connected to Manhattan only by ferry. The opening of the Astoria elevated line in 1917 (today's N and W service) precipitated a great amount of growth, evident today in the large number of multi-family apartment buildings constructed in the 1920s and 1930s. Throughout the 20th century and continuing into the 21st, the population of Astoria has continued to grow, both in number and diversity.

The pace of development has also increased in recent years, in large part due to Astoria's close proximity to Midtown Manhattan, its attractive and well-kept streetscape, and convenient commercial corridors.

Astoria is in need of zoning updates that would accommodate new growth and allow homeowners to expand without adversely impacting the existing context and scale. Current zoning yields unpredictable building types and leaves residents vulnerable to inappropriately scaled new construction.

Vallone and area community groups originally approached the Department of City Planning in fall 2005, voicing community concerns about the rapid overdevelopment of some of the area's quintessential neighborhoods.

Astoria Village, an area of great concern for those seeking to preserve Astoria's character, is facing an overgrowth of modern attached multi-family buildings that detract from the original character. The proposed rezoning will protect Astoria Village.

The rezoning does not seek to limit the growth of Astoria, but rather upzones many commercial areas and downzones some residential blocks to preserve people's property. The rezoning allows for considerable growth along 31st Street, one of Astoria's main commercial corridors. The new maximum height of buildings in the rezoned areas will be 80 feet.

Homeowners may also improve their homes as long as they maintain the look and feel of their street. Front yard line matchup will be required and residents will not be allowed to build unregulated buildings that dwarf their neighbors' homes. No longer will eyesores be built in Astoria, assaulting the character of a neighborhood.

"More and more monstrosities have been overwhelming beautiful residential neighborhoods. The rezoning is an effort to prevent people from tearing down existing buildings to construct new buildings that are out of character, while allowing homeowners to improve and expand their property in context with the area," Vallone said.

Working with neighborhood associations and members of Community Board 1, DCP has developed a preliminary rezoning strategy that respects the existing context while still allowing property owners to make improvements to their buildings. The study encompasses approximately 200 blocks in Astoria, covering 8,861 lots.