(Continued on page 5) See

page 12 for more

On Thursday, December 28, Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto announced the signing of legislation aimed at protecting residents near Mitchell-Lama housing from the adverse effects of digital billboards.

The new law, S1931B/A7456A, prohibits digital billboards or signs using fashing, intermittent, or moving lights, within ffteen hundred feet of Mitchell-Lama housing with no fewer than ten thousand units in cities with a population of one million or more.

Co-op City residents have protested electronic billboards at 500 Baychester Avenue since 2018.

Local legislation, Res 0797-2023, was introduced in September 2023 by Council Member Kevin C. Riley in the New York City Council.

The legislation addresses the challenges faced by communities like Co-op City where lighting from large electronic billboards has posed serious concerns to the quality of life of residents. Local residents and community members in Co-op City have long opposed the operation of the digital billboards and rallied against the installation of new billboards. The operation of digital billboards has proven to be detrimental in particular to the well-being and safety of vulnerable populations. Co-op City is home to the nation’s largest Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), including a signifcant senior population.

High-intensity lighting emitted by digital billboards has been linked to various health problems, including headaches, eye strain, fatigue, and disrupted sleep patterns. Residents have reported diffculties in focusing, sleeping, and normal daily activities caused by the intense illumination of ultrabright LEDs over prolonged periods.

Content displayed on the billboards, including alcohol-related and provocative advertisements, has raised serious concerns given the billboards’ proximity to an education complex comprising six campus buildings serving students from elementary to high school levels.

“Businesses should not be able to proft off of our communities while putting our health and safety at risk,” said Senator Bailey. “Our residents deserve to live in a safe and healthy environment. Exposure to excessively bright billboards and constant high-intensity lighting from billboards have

Shareholders who wish to submit written comments to the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) on Riverbay’s application for a proposed 2.1% carrying charge increase scheduled for implementation effective April 1, 2024, may do so on or before January 29, 2024. Written comments can be emailed to George.simon@hcr.ny.gov or mailed to George Simon, Offce of Integrated Housing Management, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, 641 Lexington Avenue, 4th Fl. East, New York, NY 10022.

A virtual carrying charge conference via Webex between HCR representatives and Co-op City shareholders will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 7 p.m. This conference can be attended by shareholders, their representatives and representatives of Riverbay Corporation. More details on how to log in/dial in to the conference will be forthcoming.

CCTimes Deadline Notice for Next Week

Riverbay offces will be closed for New Year’s Day on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Because of the holiday-shortened work week, articles, letters and Directors’ viewpoints submitted for publication in the Saturday, Jan. 6th issue must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Material received after this time will not be included in the January 6th issue of the newspaper

For emergency Maintenance, please call (718) 320-3300, select option 2. For CCPD, call (718) 671-3050; and NYPD, 911.

Be safe in your celebrations!

Billboards ––––– (Continued from page 1) 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 fghting against these disruptive billboards for years, and I am proud we were able to fnally 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.”

Cannabis

––––– (Continued from page 1)

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 frm 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 verifcation.