Except as modified by the express provisions of this Chapter, the regulations of the underlying zoning districts shall remain in effect.

Long Island City area

For the purposes of this Chapter, “Long Island City area” shall refer to the area within the boundaries shown on the map in Section 16-03.

The Long Island City area is shown on the following map for the purpose of specifying areas where special regulations and requirements set forth in this Chapter apply.

Long Island City Area

Areas A, B and C are established within the Long Island City area, the boundaries of which are shown on the map in Section 16-03.

Any authorization or special permit relating to parking regulations in the Long Island City area granted by the City Planning Commission or Board of Standards and Appeals prior to October 25, 1995, may be started or continued, in accordance with the terms thereof, or as such terms may subsequently be modified, pursuant to the regulations in effect at the time such authorization or special permit was granted. However, any special permit granted for a parking facility in the Long Island City area by the Commission or Board prior to December 15, 1961, may be continued without the need for renewal pursuant to Section 11-411 (Renewals), provided that the facts upon which the special permit was granted have not substantially changed.

All such authorizations or special permits requiring renewal shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 11-42 (Lapse of Authorization of Special Permit Granted by the City Planning Commission Pursuant to the 1961 Zoning Resolution) and 11-43 (Renewal of Authorization or Special Permit). However, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the renewal of any special permit or authorization for a public parking lot.

Any subsequent modifications to such authorizations or special permits that involve an increase in the number of off-street parking spaces provided shall only be permitted by the applicable special permit provisions of Section 16-35. 

The provisions of this Section shall apply to existing required or permitted accessory off-street parking spaces, public parking lots and public parking garages, established prior to October 25, 1995, in the Long Island City area, as applicable, and to existing buildings developed without the provision of parking.

Existing required or permitted accessory off-street parking spaces, public parking lots and public parking garages established prior to October 25, 1995, shall be subject to the applicable zoning district regulations in effect prior to October 25, 1995, except that:

1. any reduction or elimination of existing accessory off-street parking spaces that were required under the applicable provisions in effect prior to October 25, 1995, shall only be allowed by authorization of the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 16-342 (Reduction in the number of required existing parking spaces); and
2. any increase in the number of parking spaces in an existing parking facility or the creation of a new parking facility associated with an existing building developed without parking shall only be allowed by the Commission as follows:
   1. the Commission may authorize a limited increase pursuant to the provisions of Section 16-341 (Limited increase in parking spaces for existing buildings); and
   2. the Commission may permit an increase in the number of off-street parking spaces beyond the thresholds of Section 16-341 only pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 13-45 (Special Permits for Additional Parking Spaces).

Accessory off-street parking spaces are permitted for residences in developments or enlargements, as follows:

1. within Area A, as shown on the map in Section 16-03, accessory off-street parking spaces may be provided for not more than 50 percent of the total number of new dwelling units contained in the development or enlargement, or 200 spaces, whichever is less; and
2. within Areas B and C, as shown on the map, accessory off-street parking spaces may be provided for not more than 100 percent of the total number of new dwelling units contained in the development or enlargement.

Accessory off-street parking spaces are permitted for non-residential uses in developments or enlargements, as follows:

1. Transient hotels
   
   For transient hotel developments or enlargements, a maximum of 150 accessory off-street parking spaces are permitted if there is only one entrance to the accessory group parking facility and a maximum of 225 accessory off-street parking spaces are permitted if there are two or more entrances. In no event may the number of parking spaces exceed 50 percent of the number of new transient hotel rooms.
2. Hospitals
   
   For developments or enlargements of non-profit, voluntary or proprietary hospitals and related facilities listed under Use Group III(B), in Area A, as shown on the map in Section 16-03, a maximum of 150 accessory off-street parking spaces, open or enclosed, are permitted if there is only one entrance to the accessory group parking facility and a maximum of 225 accessory off-street parking spaces, open or enclosed, are permitted if there are two or more entrances.
   
   For hospital developments or enlargements within Areas B and C, as shown on the map, accessory off-street parking may be provided in accordance with the underlying district regulations.
3. Other commercial, community facility and manufacturing uses
   
   For developments or enlargements in Area A containing community facility uses other than hospitals, commercial uses other than transient hotels, or manufacturing uses, the maximum number of accessory off-street parking spaces permitted shall not exceed one space per 4,000 square feet of such community facility, commercial or manufacturing floor area, or 100 spaces, whichever is less. All such parking spaces shall be used exclusively by the tenants or employees of the development or enlargement and shall not be available to the public.
   
   Within Areas B and C, the maximum number of accessory off-street parking spaces permitted for each development, enlargement or alteration shall not exceed one space per 4,000 square feet of floor area, or 100 spaces, whichever is less. In the event that the permitted number of accessory off-street spaces would be less than 15 spaces, an accessory parking facility of up to 15 spaces may be provided.

Where a development or enlargement contains a combination of uses for which parking regulations are set forth in Sections 16-11 (Permitted Parking for Residences) and 16-12 (Permitted Parking for Non-residential Uses), the number of accessory off-street parking spaces for all such uses shall not exceed the number of spaces permitted for each use in accordance with the provisions of such Sections. However, in no event shall the maximum number exceed 225 accessory off-street parking spaces. The exclusive or primary use provisions of Sections 16-11 and 16-12 shall be applicable to the number of spaces provided for each use.

Public parking lots shall not be permitted within the Long Island City area, except where authorized by the City Planning Commission in accordance with the provisions of Section 16-342.

Within Areas A or B, as shown on the map in Section 16-03, public parking garages shall be permitted only in accordance with the special permit provisions of Section 16-352. However, notwithstanding any underlying district regulations, within Subarea C, as shown on the map, public parking garages with a maximum capacity of 150 spaces shall be permitted as-of-right within any zoning district.

All accessory off-street parking spaces may be made available for public use. However, any such space shall be made available to the occupant of a residence to which it is accessory within 30 days after a written request therefor is made to the landlord.

No accessory off-street parking spaces shall be located on a zoning lot other than the same zoning lot as the use to which they are accessory.
 

All accessory off-street parking spaces shall be located within a completely enclosed building, with the exception of:

(a)        parking spaces accessory to non-profit, voluntary or proprietary hospitals and related facilities, listed under Use Group III(B); and

(b)        up to 15 off-street parking spaces accessory to commercial uses other than a transient hotel, listed under Use Group V, community facility uses other than hospitals, or manufacturing uses.

In the Long Island City area, for accessory off-street parking facilities and public parking garages, curb cuts accessing entrances and exits to such parking facilities shall not be permitted at the following locations:

(a)        within 50 feet of the intersection of any two street lines, except where the Commissioner of Buildings certifies that such location is not hazardous to traffic safety, is not likely to create traffic congestion and will not unduly inhibit surface traffic or pedestrian flow. The Commissioner of Buildings may refer such matter to the Department of Transportation, or its successor, for a report;

(b)        for accessory off-street parking facilities, on 21st Street, 44th Drive, Jackson Avenue, Queens Boulevard, Queens Plaza (North, South and East), Skillman Avenue or Thomson Avenue, except by authorization of the City Planning Commission, pursuant to Section 16-343;

(c)        for public parking garages, on 21st Street, 44th Drive, Jackson Avenue, Queens Boulevard, Queens Plaza (North, South and East) or Vernon Boulevard, except by authorization, pursuant to Section 16-343.

The maximum gross unobstructed surface area, in square feet, of a permitted accessory group parking facility including stalls, aisles, driveways and maneuvering areas shall be as set forth in this Section.

1. Attended parking facilities 
   
   For attended parking facilities without parking lift systems, the maximum gross surface area shall not exceed 200 times the number of accessory off-street parking spaces provided.
   
   For attended parking facilities with parking lift systems, the maximum surface area of the portion of the facility allocated to non-elevated parking spaces shall not exceed 200 times the number of non-elevated spaces provided and the portion allocated to elevated parking spaces shall be 153 times the number of elevated spaces able to be provided on lifted trays. 
   
   No maximum surface area requirement shall apply to automated parking facilities.  
2. Self-park facilities
   
   For self-parking facilities, the maximum gross surface area shall not exceed 350 times the number of accessory off-street parking spaces provided.

An off-street parking facility in the Long Island City area may provide a gross unobstructed surface area greater than the maximum size permitted by this Section upon certification by the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission to the Commissioner of Buildings that the proposed layout of such parking facility, including, but not limited to, the arrangement of parking spaces, travel aisles and reservoir spaces, where applicable, is sufficient to accommodate the requisite vehicular navigation and turning movements associated with such a facility. To make such a determination, the applicant shall provide the Chairperson with dimensioned plan drawings that depict the proposed vehicular movement through the facility, including any relevant maneuverability or turning radius information.

The City Planning Commission may grant authorizations and special permits, pursuant to Sections 16-34, inclusive, and 16-35, inclusive.

All such special permits and authorizations, in addition to meeting the requirements, conditions and safeguards prescribed by the Commission, shall conform to and comply with all of the applicable zoning district regulations of the Zoning Resolution, except as otherwise specified herein.

An application to the City Planning Commission for the grant of a special permit or authorization under the provisions of this Section shall include a site plan showing the location of all buildings or other structures on the site, the location of all vehicular entrances and exits and off-street parking spaces, and such other information as may be required by the Commission.

In all cases, the City Planning Commission shall deny a special permit application or authorization whenever the use will interfere with a public improvement project (including housing, highways, public buildings or facilities, redevelopment or renewal projects, or rights-of-way for sewers, transit or other public facilities) which is approved by or pending before the City Council or the Commission, as determined from the calendar of each agency issued prior to the date of the public meeting on the application for a special permit or authorization.