CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY

How Mayor Adams’ City of Yes

Threatens a Beautiful Community –
And What You Can Do About It

May 2024

Associated Cultural Resource Consultants

 Members of Community Board 13 overwhelmingly approved a
Cambria Heights downzoning plan presented to them by the
Queens Office of City Planning Monday night.
“This is the fastest rezoning that’s ever happened in Queens,”
said Richard Hellenbrecht, chairman of Community Board 13.
“We must realize the efforts of the planning office because
usually (downzoning) takes well over a year.” Hellenbrecht said
the downzoning effort in Cambria Heights began in October
2004 and will hopefully be fully approved by the city and in
effect by the end of June.
The plan would rezone 5,722 lots within 196 blocks in Cambria
Heights…70 percent of the community will become R2A zones.
Hellenbrecht said that Cambria Heights is only the second
community in the city to take advantage of the new R2A zones,
which were established in the recent rezoning of Bayside and
place greater restrictions on overdevelopment in residential
communities.
Under the plan presented in Cambria Heights, current R2 zones,
which are areas of detached one-family homes and represent 70
percent of the community, will become R2A zones.
Cambria Heights resident Doris Bodine said after the meeting
she was “relieved” the plan was approved by the board.
“I’ve lived in the community for 40 years in a detached family
home and I don’t want to see the character of the community
changed,” she said.
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 City Planning Representative Elizabeth Errico, who presented
the plan to about 60 Cambria Heights residents, said the new
R2A zone really “reflects what is already there” and is aimed at
trying to prevent overbuilding in the area.
The only concerns raised at the meeting were that some current
residents would be in violation of the new zoning regulations
once they take effect. But Errico said that 80 percent of the
community would currently meet or be under the new
requirements set by R2A zones, and anyone not meeting the
requirements would be “grandfathered” into the new regulations
and not in violation.
“There is a high degree of compliance and conformity to these
requirements,” she said. “R2A will provide a tighter building
envelope and doesn’t allow certain exemptions which allow
homes to become bigger.”

Kevin Jemmott, president of the Cambria Heights Civic

Association, expressed his support for the plan at the meeting.

“This plan will allow for reasonable exemptions, but stop

McMansions,” Jemmott told the crowd. “We are in a sprint right
now against developers to get Cambria Heights rezoned before
they change the character of the neighborhood.”

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Proposal Overview
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Ending Basic Zoning Regulations
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 “Town Center” Zoning & Transit-oriented Development (TODs)
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Allowing High Density for All Campuses (Including Religious)
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Elimination of Parking Mandates for Residential Development
DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Neighborhood Boundaries
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – One-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R2A – Current Zoning
Occupancy – 1 Family R4B
Type – Detached
FAR – 0.5 max R3A
R3-2
Lot Size – 3800 sf
Lot Width – 40’
R3A R4B
Lot Coverage – 30% max
Front Yard – 15’ to 20’
R3-2 – 8’ & 5’
Side Yards
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
R3A

C8-1– 35’
Maximum Height
R3A
Parking – 1 Space Req’d
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – One-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R2A – Current Zoning
Occupancy – 1 Family R4B
Type – Detached
FAR – 0.5 max R3A
R3-2
Lot Size – 3800 sf
Lot Width – 40’
R3A R4B
Lot Coverage – 30% max
Front Yard – 15’ to 20’
R3-2 – 8’ & 5’
Side Yards
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
R3A

C8-1– 35’
Maximum Height
R3A
Parking – 1 Space Req’d
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – One-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R2A – Current Zoning
Occupancy – 1 Family R4B
Type – Detached
FAR – 0.5 max R3A
R3-2
Lot Size – 3800 sf
Lot Width – 40’
R3A R4B
Lot Coverage – 30% max
Front Yard – 15’ to 20’
R3-2 – 8’ & 5’
Side Yards
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
R3A

C8-1– 35’
Maximum Height
R3A
Parking – 1 Space Req’d
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – One-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3A – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Detached
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 25’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’ & 0’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3A – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Detached
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 25’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’ & 0’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3A – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Detached
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 25’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’ & 0’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3-1 – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/3800 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/40’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’/0’-8’/5’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3-1 – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/3800 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/40’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’/0’-8’/5’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3-1 – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/3800 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/40’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’/0’-8’/5’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Att./Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.9 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/25’
Lot Coverage – 55% max
Front Yard – 5’/Line Up
R3-2 Side Yards – 0’/8’ – 4’/4’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 24’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 24’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Att./Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.9 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/25’
Lot Coverage – 55% max
Front Yard – 5’/Line Up
R3-2 Side Yards – 0’/8’ – 4’/4’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 24’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 24’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 1/2 Family

Type – Att./Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.9 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/25’
Lot Coverage – 55% max
Front Yard – 5’/Line Up
R3-2 Side Yards – 0’/8’ – 4’/4’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 24’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 24’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3-2 – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – Multifamily

Type – Att./Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.6 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/3800 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/40’
Lot Coverage – 35% max
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 8’/0’-8’/5’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 30’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 21’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
Parking – 1 Space/Unit
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Multifamily Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Commercial Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Commercial Overlays

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Proposed City of Yes Zoning – 3 Units

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R2A – Proposed Zoning
Occupancy – 3 Units R4B
Type – Detached
FAR – 0.75 max R3A
R3-2
Lot Size – 2850 sf
Lot Width – 30’
R3A R4B
Lot Coverage – 60-80%
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 – 5’ & 5’
Side Yards
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 20’
R3A R4B
Perimeter Wall – 25’ max
R3A

C8-1– 35’
Maximum Height
R3A
No Parking Required
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Proposed Zoning – Minimum 3 Units

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3A – Proposed Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 3 Units

Type – Detached
R3A FAR – 0.75 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 25’
Lot Coverage – 60-80%
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 5’ & 0’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 20’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 25’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
No Parking Required
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R3-1 – Proposed Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 3 Units

Type – Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 0.75 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/2850sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/30’
Lot Coverage – 60-80%
Front Yard – 15’
R3-2 Side Yards – 5’/0’-5’/5’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 20’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 25’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
No Parking Required
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B – Current Zoning

R4B Occupancy – 3 Units

Type – Att./Semi./Det.
R3A FAR – 1.0 max
R3-2
Lot Size – 1700/2375 sf
R3A R4B Lot Width – 18’/25’
Lot Coverage – 60-80%
Front Yard – 5’/Line Up
R3-2 Side Yards – 0’/2’’
R3A R2A
Rear Yard – 20’
R3A R4B
R3A Perimeter Wall – 35’ max
C8-1 Maximum Height – 35’
R3A
No Parking Required
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Present Zoning – Two-Family Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Proposed City of Yes – “Town Center Zoning”

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Proposed City of Yes – “Town Center Zoning”

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Proposed City of Yes – “Town Center Zoning”
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Proposed City of Yes – “Town Center Zoning”
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 R4B

R3A
R3-2
R3A R4B

R3-2
R3A R2A
R3A R4B
R3A

C8-1 R3A
R3-1
R3-1 R3-2

R3A

R2A

Cambria Heights – Religious Campus Development / TOD Zoning

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Religious Campus Development / TOD Zoning
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Religious Campus Development / TOD Zoning
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Cambria Heights – Religious Campus Development / TOD Zoning
Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Outcomes

DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Outcomes

DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Outcomes

DCP – City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Presentation

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 Outcomes

1) Get 26+ NO votes on the City Council to stop the City of Yes.

2) Get 26+ YES votes on the City Council and accept our fate.

3) Get 26+ YES votes on the City Council and sell our homes.

4) Get A9417 (and companion Senate bill) passed to give our

communities – like Cambria Heights – the ability to opt-out
of this madness.

Cambria Heights and Mayor Adams’ City of Yes – May 2024 ACRC
 CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY
How Mayor Adams’ City of Yes
Threatens a Beautiful Community –
And What You Can Do About It

May 2024

Associated Cultural Resource Consultants