MARCH CB14 MEETING RECAP

Continued from page 10 the overdevelopment in general, while Rockaway lacks services like a hospital and enough police patrols. “Elected officials, get what is needed here!” she said.

Eugene Falik complained about the DOT for having a sidewalk on Redfern Ave closed for too long, and a planter by the Far Rockaway subway station that is causing people to block traffic when they drop someone off at that station.

Several neighbors brought up a concern over a building at 139 Beach 119th Street. The building was long neglected, but suddenly, there is a lot of action taking place at the building that only has permits for a new hot water heater. Construction crews have not been answering questions, leading neighbors to believe the building is being fixed up as a shelter or halfway house. “We’ve been calling for a year about this building and now suddenly it’s an emergency to get this built? They’re working on it 24/7. I don’t know who has a permit for what, but the story goes that this is going to be the newest halfway house in Rockaway—just what we don’t need,” Kathy Heavey said. The neighbors claim that when they call DOB to investigate, the construction crews leave the scene, raising suspicions even higher.

A representative from the Rockaway Community Justice Center spoke about them hiring locally and other opportunities they provide. Lastly, Christine James applauded sanitation and the local councilwomen for staying on top of cleanup efforts around the community and asked that attention be brought to the Rockaway Freeway due to potholes and broken sidewalks along this strip that is frequently used by pedestrians.

Representatives from National Grid made a quick presentation on a project they’ll be starting in April to replace a regulator station on Augustina Avenue, from Beach 12th to Minton Street. They will be replacing an existing regulatory station that was built in 1956 and is due for replacement due to corrosion. The project takes place in front of three homes. Augustina

Ave. will be closed to through traffic but open to the residents while construction is taking place. The project will be done by the fall, in time for the next heating season. The board took no issue with this necessary project.

They were not so welcoming of the next project presented. Community Builders was hoping for a zoning change from an R4-1 to an R6A for a property located at 29-32 Beach Channel Drive. They hope to build an eight-story building with 106 new housing units of 100% affordable housing, with 27 parking spaces, plus access to another 25 parking spaces at a neighboring building. The building will be sustainable and flood resistant. When this was presented to the CB14 Land Use committee earlier in the month, they expressed concerns over the congestion in the area and limited parking, and a desire for one to two family homes rather than more apartment buildings. The committee made a motion to oppose the upzoning needed for the building.

Knowing the odds weren’t in their favor, Community Builders, a 501c3, and their legal representatives were back to state their case for the need for the building. They explained they’re the same ones behind the new Beach 21 affordable development and they’re hoping to expand their reach. They claimed they have some letters of support, including from nonprofits RDRC, FRANC and the Ocean Bay Community Center, as well as 16 residents of the neighboring building. To move forward, they need the zoning change, a text amendment and a Waterfront Revitalization Certification.

After hearing their proposal, Orr reminded the board that CB14 has a moratorium on any further development requiring an R6A or higher upzoning. A motion was made to oppose the upzoning for this project. With an overwhelming yes vote, two no votes and two abstentions, the motion to oppose the upzoning carried. The project still has to go through the rest of the ULURP approval process ahead of the Borough President and City Council to be approved.

Wishing All Our Customers a Happy Easter!

- The Paolillo & Sullivan Families