The multitude of processes that make up progressive community planning all have the elements stated in the title. All of these elements are also seen in the community’s attempts to change the rezoning of Flushing West. The Flushing community wants more housing and a cleaner waterfront, but real estate investors want to build for luxury housing and the locals will not be able to afford it. The worst part is that the developers are taking advantage of the public subsidies for affordable housing, but they aren’t building enough affordable housing. Community Board 7 (CB7) members want to further incite building affordable housing, but the tax breaks are no longer in effect and they allow the developers to build higher due to being so close the LaGuardia Airport.

Upzoning Flushing West is supposed to be best for the whole area, but it doesn’t represent the diverse interests of its residents. However, adding more people will worsen the overcrowding problem that already exists in Flushing. The plan will have contrary effects than it’s supposed to. The needs of Flushing conflict with what developers want, but the latter are the ones that have a greater voice in the rezoning. Now that the City Council has approved the rezoning, the Flushing community will have to take action to make their voices heard. This problem does not have a simple solution; there are upsides and downsides to different solutions. That is why the residents of Flushing need to be informed to make sure they have power in their community.