Sunnyside Up for Landmark Designation

New York, NY —

Sunnyside, Queens is a step closer to becoming a land-marked neighborhood. It was the first community to adopt the "garden city" planning style.

REPORTER: But some homeowners oppose the landmark designation, including many South Asians, who are worried the status will drive up insurance costs and property taxes. Fazlu Miah owns five homes in Sunnyside.

MIAH: It's going to affect me and my colleagues and neighbors very much because the city is looking for a chance to give the people their tickets and making the money and raising the taxes and raising the insurance and everything. The big guy is always getting big and poor people is always getting poor.

REPORTER: A spokesperson for the Landmarks Commission says taxes may increase a bit, but insurance costs won't be affected. Both sides will debate the issue later this morning on the Brian Lehrer Show from WNYC.