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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2023
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been linked to serious health and safety concerns. This legislative victory is a collective effort that demonstrates the strength of our community. Co-op City residents have been fighting against these disruptive billboards for years, and I am proud we were able to finally put an end to this practice and deliver this win for our community members. Our community’s voices made a difference. Now, with this legislation, we are taking a proactive step to prevent such issues in the future. “I want to thank Assemblymember Michael Benedetto and Council Member Kevin C. Riley for their work on this legislation, Governor Kathy Hochul, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl Heastie for prioritizing the health and well-being of our community.” Assemblyman Benedetto said: “Our Digital Billboard Legislation will once and for all prevent the construction and operation of disruptive and abusive billboards that would have shined all night into Co-op City’s bedrooms. This is a great victory for the Co-op City community a few days before the start of the New Year. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for underBY BRANDON ORTIZ At the November 13, 2023 public review standing the significance of this session of the NYC Board of Standards legislation, as well as my coland Appeals (BSA), the Board reopened leagues in Albany, State Senaan appeal filed by Baychester Retail LLC tor Jamaal Bailey, Speaker Carl for the property at 500 Baychester Avenue Heastie and Senaate Majority after the property owner submitted new Leader Andrea Stewart-Coustestimony. Baychester Retail has been ap- ins, and in NYC, City Council pealing an August 2022 NYC Department Member Kevin C. Riley.” “Today marks a monumenof Buildings (DOB) revocation that protal step towards safeguarding hibited the developers from advertising in the health and quality of life for their C7 zoning district. Specifically, the families in the Northeast Bronx developers aim to erect two LED panels and statewide,” said Council on their 60-foot tall structure to advertise Member Kevin C. Riley. “With in the direction of the New England Thruthe support of Governor Kathy way. Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie, NYC DOB originally revoked the advertising permits for Baychester Retail III and Majority Leader Andrea LLC at the 500 Baychester Avenue lot on Stewart-Cousins endorsing the grounds that the sign would be within Res 0797-2023 and S1931B/ A7456A, we celebrate the col200 feet of an arterial highway. During the review portion of a BSA laborative effort between city hearing held in May 2023, BSA Chair and state to prioritize policy Champa Shanda explained that the main that serves the well-being of contention between Baychester Retail III New York residents. In conLLC and DOB originated around where cert with Senator Bailey and the boundary of the New England Thru- Assembly Member Benedetto, way started and the boundary’s distance to we spearheaded legislation that not only tackles light pollution the proposed sign. Later on during that May BSA public near Mitchell-Lama housing but hearing and review session, Baychester also cultivates a healthier enviRetail III LLC’s legal representation ar- ronment. This initiative aims gued that the proposed sign would not be to diminish the risks associated in violation of the zoning resolution be- with disrupted sleep cycles and cause the distance from the New England health disparities in our comThruway’s boundary actually exceeds the munities, specifically arising necessary amount needed to erect their from the operation of large digiLED signs. They referred to a current al- tal billboards emitting excessive teration map of the area as evidence of the artificial light. I am grateful for this with my colleagues in govthruway’s actual boundary. BSA is now set to meet on this matter ernment, the Co-op City community and all stakeholders for on February 26, 2024. Shareholders who would still like to the dedication to improving the submit testimony on this matter, for the lives of New Yorkers for a susrecord, can email them to submit@bsa. tainable future.” Violations will incur civil nyc.gov or mail their testimony to: NYC penalties of $1,000 for the first Board of Standards and Appeals, 22 Reade offense and $5,000 for all subStreet, Main Floor, New York, NY 10007. sequent violations. Those with questions about the submisThe legislation will take efsion process, please call BSA directly at fect sixty days after becoming 212-386-0009. law.
On Monday, December 18, Mello Tymes’ principals met with the executive board of CB #10. Although Co-op City shareholders were invited to attend the meeting, their attendance was observational as speaking time was only allotted to the applicant, their supporters and CB #10 executive board and Economic Development Committee members. During the Dec. 18th presentation, Mello Tymes introduced their team, read a letter of support from the NYC Department of Small Business Services and presented three supporters to speak on their behalf. The attendees also heard from a representative from the security firm that the company will utilize to secure the premises and a representative from the technology and point of sale hardware provider whose services Mello Tymes said they will enlist to provide age and anti-theft verification. At that meeting, the CB #10 executive board advised Mello Tymes to add information on its business operations and a site plan for the location in their presentation for the Jan. 4th public hearing. Last week, Mello Tymes reported that more security information will also be provided at the Jan. 4th public hearing. At the public hearing, there will be presentations from Mello Tymes on their application to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management for a cannabis retail dispensary at 675 Co-op City Blvd (old Chase building) and from Groovy Vibes for their application at 3395 East Tremont Avenue. The presentations will be followed by the public Q&A period/discussion and vote by the community board on the respective applications. “We look forward to continuing the conversation with the Co-op City community to assuage their concerns,” Roger Thomas, CEO of Mello Tymes told the Co-op City Times last week. “We also want to know how Mello Tymes can be of benefit to the community and the jurisdiction surrounding Community Board 10 in its entirety. We are confident that our lived experiences are relatable to many in the community. If Co-op City cooperators have any questions or concerns, we can be reached at mellotymes@gmail.com.”
BSA Update on Baychester Retail’s Appeal
Share Your Comments & Suggestions with Riverbay Shareholders are encouraged to submit input on how to improve services and service delivery as well as other ideas that impact quality of life. Visit the Home page of the official Co-op City website, coopcity.com, scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Comments & Suggestions” link. Engage with Riverbay. Share your comments, compliments and ideas.
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