The City Planning Commission has signed off on zone changes which could bring about a trio of towers to the St. George waterfront - including the tallest residential building in Staten Island.

Rendering of the River North project in St. GeorgeFXCollaborative

The Staten Island Advance reports that the commission voted 8-2 in favor of the project from Madison Realty Capital, which would bring 750 apartments to a vacant two-acre site at Richmond Terrace at Stuyvesant Place.  The proposed development, called River North, would also include 20,000 square feet of commercial space and parking for 341 vehicles.

FX Collaborative is designing the project, which would include buildings of 26 stories, 25 stories, and 11 stories, set among landscaped courtyards at street level, with terrace decks providing additional outdoor space for residents on upper floors.

Potential community benefits - including affordable housing - remain a subject of debate between the developers and community stakeholders.

Rendering of the River North project in St. GeorgeFXCollaborative

The Commission's vote endorses rezoning the project site to remove a height cap of 34 feet, instituting a new limit which would permit construction of up to 250 feet in height.  The vote also approved amendments to the Special St. George District and Special Hillsides Preservation District, according to Staten Island Advance.

The City Council has 50 days to act following the Commission hearing.