The local community board in Queens has endorsed the Bloomberg administration’s plans to redevelop Willets Point, the industrial 61-acre site by Shea Stadium, according to a late-night release from the Bloomberg administration. The vote comes despite opposition from the local City Council members, housing advocacy groups and property owners.

We don’t yet have key details—such as the margin of the vote or the conditions attached to the endorsement—but the city sent out an announcement hailing the vote a bit before 1 a.m.

Such community board endorsements are rather uncommon early in the process of contentious rezonings, as the boards usually vote against the developments with a set of conditions they want to see satisfied.

Still, two local councilmen, Hiram Monserrate and John Liu, stated in recent days their continued opposition to the city’s plan for the area, which would involve the acquisition of the existing land and displacement of the mostly auto-related businesses there.

The community board vote is the latest in a string of developments in the Bloomberg administration’s favor at Willets Point. While the city received an outpouring of criticism early on over the project, it has quelled some of the critics, such as the unions, which now support it, and made its first two property acquisitions.

The rezoning is now headed toward receiving a non-binding recommendation from Borough President Helen Marshall, who has supported the plan. Final approval of the plan must come from the City Council, where it is unclear what action the members will take, as opposition remains strong from affordable housing advocates and the existing property and business owners

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