BSA Update on Baychester Retail’s Appeal

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

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 understanding the signifcance of this legislation, as well as my colleagues in Albany, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Speaker Carl Heastie and Senaate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and in NYC, City Council Member Kevin C. Riley.”

At the November 13, 2023 public review session of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), the Board reopened an appeal fled by Baychester Retail LLC for the property at 500 Baychester Avenue after the property owner submitted new testimony. Baychester Retail has been appealing an August 2022 NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) revocation that prohibited the developers from advertising in their C7 zoning district. Specifcally, the developers aim to erect two LED panels on their 60-foot tall structure to advertise in the direction of the New England Thruway.

NYC DOB originally revoked the advertising permits for Baychester Retail III LLC at the 500 Baychester Avenue lot on the grounds that the sign would be within 200 feet of an arterial highway.

During the review portion of a BSA hearing held in May 2023, BSA Chair Champa Shanda explained that the main contention between Baychester Retail III LLC and DOB originated around where the boundary of the New England Thruway started and the boundary’s distance to the proposed sign.

Later on during that May BSA public hearing and review session, Baychester Retail III LLC’s legal representation argued that the proposed sign would not be in violation of the zoning resolution because the distance from the New England Thruway’s boundary actually exceeds the necessary amount needed to erect their LED signs. They referred to a current alteration map of the area as evidence of the thruway’s actual boundary.

BSA is now set to meet on this matter on February 26, 2024.

Shareholders who would still like to submit testimony on this matter, for the record, can email them to submit@bsa. nyc.gov or mail their testimony to: NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, 22 Reade Street, Main Floor, New York, NY 10007. Those with questions about the submission process, please call BSA directly at 212-386-0009.

“Today marks a monumental step towards safeguarding the health and quality of life for families in the Northeast Bronx and statewide,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “With the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins endorsing Res 0797-2023 and S1931B/ A7456A, we celebrate the collaborative effort between city and state to prioritize policy that serves the well-being of New York residents. In concert with Senator Bailey and Assembly Member Benedetto, we spearheaded legislation that not only tackles light pollution near Mitchell-Lama housing but also cultivates a healthier environment. This initiative aims to diminish the risks associated with disrupted sleep cycles and health disparities in our communities, specifcally arising from the operation of large digital billboards emitting excessive artifcial light. I am grateful for this with my colleagues in government, the Co-op City community and all stakeholders for the dedication to improving the lives of New Yorkers for a sustainable future.”

Violations will incur civil penalties of $1,000 for the frst offense and $5,000 for all subsequent violations.

The legislation will take effect sixty days after becoming law.

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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 offcial Co-op City website, coopcity.com, scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Comments & Suggestions” link.

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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 Offce 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 beneft to the community and the jurisdiction surrounding Community Board 10 in its entirety. We are confdent 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.”

If your apartment door or the stairwell door on your foor does not self-close, contact Maintenance immediately at 718-320-3300, select option 2, for an appointment to address this condition.