Queens Village shopping center gets rezoned

The City Council approved a zoning change Thursday that would allow a Queens Village shopping center to bring in giant brand-name retail stores.

The complex on Hillside Ave., is anchored by a 26,000-square-foot Sears Appliance and Hardware Store and also has an HSBC Bank and an Auto Zone. However, the center is limited under an old zoning law that prevents big retailers from popping up.

But residents and councilmen argue that the site would better serve the neighborhood if it were anchored by a discount department store like T.J. Maxx or Target.

“It would bring a different level of shopping,” Community Board 13 District Manager Lawrence McClean said. “The Sears store has its own crowd, but a clothing store would probably be more utilized.”

The land use bid to rezone the property that the shopping center sits on went through the approval process with ease. It got the final approval from city lawmakers Thursday.

An attorney representing property owner DERP Associates said that there are currently no plans to enlarge the property. [NYDN] —TRD