A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON APPROVING
CERTAIN AMENDMENTS FOR THE
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED Q WEST TOWERS PROJECT
WHEREAS, Q West Towers LLC (“Applicant”) proposes to construct a 15-story mixed-use building at 25 and 29 North Macquesten Parkway and a 12-story and cellar mixed-use building at 1 and 7-11 North Macquesten Parkway, consisting of 229 residential units and commercial space (collectively, the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, from 2013-2016, the City of Mount Vernon City Council (“City Council”) served as the Lead Agency for the SEQRA review of the Mount Vernon West rezoning, which ended with the adoption of a Findings Statement and ultimately the Mount Vernon West Form-Based Zoning District; and
WHEREAS, the Project is in the MVW-H-Hub district; and
WHEREAS, following the full SEQRA review for the rezoning, it was determined that the Project is an unlisted action that was eligible for “expedited review” under the City’s local land use review procedures outlined in Section 267-19A(2) of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, in its August 3, 2021 Memorandum recommending approval of the Project, the Expedited Review Committee found, among other things, that “the proposed project complies with all Findings of the SEQRA Generic Environmental Impact Statement adopted for the MVW rezoning” and “is compatible with the City’s long-range goals and planning strategy as evidenced with its compliance with the MVW TOD code and adherence to the form-based code’s urban design, aesthetics and visual character”; and
WHEREAS, on February 9, 2022, the City Council adopted a Resolution Endorsing the Expedited Review Committee’s Recommendation for the Project, which Resolution approved the Project subject to certain conditions (“2022 Resolution”); and
WHEREAS, when adopting the 2022 Resolution, the City Council also had before it and reviewed a (i) Long Environmental Assessment Form (“LEAF”), including Part 2 of the LEAF, for each building comprising the Project (known as Site A and Site B), and (ii) a SEQRA document entitled “Compliance of Proposed Q-West Towers Development With The Findings Of The SEQRA Generic EIS Adopted for the MVW Rezoning,” which included an Updated Traffic and Parking Study (March 2018), describing that while the Project would generate additional traffic, as detailed in the report, it would not result in any significant adverse traffic impacts; and
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2023, the City Council adopted a Resolution amending the 2022 Resolution to include a SEQRA determination and confirm that all procedural steps of SEQRA and its implementing regulations have been fully satisfied in connection with the Project (“2023 Resolution”); and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2024, the Applicant submitted revised drawings to the Department of Buildings to ensure compliance with the Mount Vernon West TOD zoning; and
WHEREAS, the plan modifications reflected primarily minor architectural adjustments, including, but not limited to, changing the building heights to provide 11’ of clear ceiling in the lobby while remaining below maximum height requirements, adding glazing at the podium ground floor, updating masonry color, incorporating compact spaces into the parking garage, and increasing open space (collectively, “Project Amendments”); and
WHEREAS, the Project Amendments are shown on updated renderings and roof plans (undated), and described in a Memorandum entitled “Architectural Summary of Modifications,” prepared by Newman Design, dated April 4, 2024 (“Architectural Memorandum”), all of which is on file with the Department of Buildings; and
WHEREAS, on April 12, 2024, the Expedited Review Committee met with the Applicant to review the Project Amendments; and
WHEREAS, on May 2, 2024, the Expedited Review Committee issued a Memorandum to the City Council finding that the Project still meets the requirements for Expedited Review, and recommending approval of the application with additional design considerations (“Expedited Review Committee Memorandum”); and
WHEREAS, at its meeting held on April 24, 2024, the Architectural Review Board (“ARB”) reviewed and approved the Project Amendments, subject to the condition that the Applicant submit a landscaping plan to the ARB for final approval, which plan shall include the street median and shall use native plants only; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2024, the Architectural Review Board issued a Memorandum to the City Council memorializing its conditional approval of the application (“ARB Memorandum”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Project Amendments, Expedited Review Committee Memorandum, and ARB Memorandum; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City Council approves the Project Amendments as shown on the above-referenced renderings and roof plans, and described in the Architectural Memorandum; BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the City Council as Lead Agency has taken the requisite hard look at the Project Amendments and finds that no additional or supplemental environmental review is required under SEQRA for the Project according to 6 N.Y.C.R.R. Section 617.9(a)(7); BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that all terms, provisions, requirements, and conditions outlined in the 2022 Resolution and 2023 Resolution, which were approved previously by the City Council, are incorporated herein by reference and shall remain in full force and effect; BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.