May 19, 2025​ 

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E NEWSLETTER MAY 2025

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1. The DCA along with over 100 civics and individuals filed its citywide lawsuit against the mayor’s City of Yes (CofY) in Staten Island under index number 85065/2025. Oral arguments will take place on July 8th  in Staten Island. For those who contributed to the litigation fund, Thank You, to those who have not as yet contributed please consider doing so as a small investment to protect your home investment.Payments can be made via check or Pay Pal with the designation for “CofY litigation fund.”

2. We discovered that the first phase of the CofY changed the limitation of battery storage to commercial zones to now permitting battery storage in all residential zones. Lithium batteries are highly toxic and in a fire difficult to extinguish. There is no need to allow large storage facilities in residential zones. We are currently looking with other civics litigation to prevent this dangerous condition.

3. NY City composting rules have been suspended pending further discussions. You may still continue to put composting garbage out for collection on recycle day. We recommend that you continue to recycle as we expect the rules to be reinstated but with lower penalty costs.

4. Thank you to the hundreds of members who paid their 2025 DCA dues of $25. If you have not sent in your dues, please take a moment to do so by check or Pay Pal.

5. As the primary election approaches, we are monitoring which candidates have our interests at heart and not the interests of big real estate. We do not endorse candidates for elective office as a civic association but we can and will tell you whose public positions are contrary to positions our civic have taken. DCA has opposed the mayor’s CofYAll the current mayoral candidates have endorsed in principle the mayor’s CofY except for Curtis Sliwa who is 100% opposed; Andrew Cuomo is changing positions so we can’t comment on him as this point. Our two current council members, Linda Lee and Vickie Paladino voted against the CofY.We hope this information will be in part helpful in making your decisions on election day

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April 14, 2025​ 

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SAVE THE DATE

VICKIE PALADINO

Council Member, District 19

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STATE OF THE DISTRICT 2025

 

When:   Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time:     Program begins: 7:30pm

Where:  Bayside High School

              32-24 Corporal Kennedy Street

              Bayside, NY

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Open to the Public

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RSVP required to reserve seating

awinters@council.nyc.gov

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Click here for "Save the Date" flyer

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April 11, 2025​ 

 

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Curbside Composting is Mandatory

Enforcement begins April 1, 2025

 

ALL NYC residents are required to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, or yard waste from trash.

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As of April 1, 2025, property owners may receive a fine if compostable material is not separated from trash.

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What to Compost

ALL leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. This includes:

• ALL leaf and yard waste, including flowers and Christmas trees

• ALL food scraps, including meat, bones, shells, and dairy

• Prepared and cooked foods

• Greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes

• Products certified or labeled compostable.

DO NOT compost trash such as wrappers, pet waste, medical waste, diapers, foam, personal, or hygiene products.

DO NOT compost metal glass, plastic, cartons, clean paper, or cardboard.

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How to Compost

ALL leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper in a labeled bin with a secure lid or in your DSNY brown bin.

• Bins must be 55 gallons or less with a secure lid. Line with a clear plastic, paper, or compostable bag to help keep it clean.

• Extra leaf and yard waste can be put in a paper lawn and leaf bag or clear plastic bag.

• Twigs and branches can be bundled with twine and placed next to bins and bags.

 

Use your DSNY brown bin or purchase one at www.bins.nyc.  You can also use any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid. If using your own bin, order a free composting bin decal.

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Storage Area

Owners and property managers of buildings with 4 or more units must provide a designated storage area with clearly labeled compost bins. Learn more about composting in larger buildings.

 

CLick on this link to be directed to the NYC.Gov curbside composting website

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/curbside-composting.page

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Click on this link to listen to a webinar video regarding composting

Curbside Composting Webinar (2024)

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February 15, 2025​ 

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Queens Bus Re-Design Project

Summary by Barbara Linton

 

Impact of the Project to our Area

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Stops eliminated on the Q12 Bus Line

• Eliminating stops will save 20 seconds for each stop eliminated, by the MTA’s own admission. Not worth it, if it makes access to public transportation more difficult for our elderly and disabled neighbors

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Elimination of the QM3 Express Bus to Midtown Manhattan

• Alternative transit options proposed by the MTA are either more costly or more time consuming.

• Eliminating this option to get to Midtown Manhattan will result in more folks driving to the LIRR stations, Northern, or beyond.In Douglaston, we’re already challenged with commuters coming from further East on the Port Washington line who park here to pay a lower fare.They spill out into the neighborhood, and parking becomes challenging for residents.

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DCA Activities

• Spoke at several meetings hosted by the MTA throughout the year.

• Posted comments to the MTA website explaining our objections.

• Contacted the office of Councilwoman Vicky Paladino, expressing our concerns.Spoke at meeting facilitated by her office, and attended by the MTA, again objecting to this project.

• Info-shared at Doug-Bay Civic meeting, to raise awareness of the issue.

• Presented our case to CB11. The Board voted against supporting the proposal put forth by the MTA.

• Spoke against the project at in-person meeting hosted by the MTA, at Queens Borough Hall, sponsored by the Queens Borough President’s office.

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Outcome

The MTA Board approved the Queens Bus Re-Design Plan on 1/29/25.  Implementation will roll out in two phases, June 2025 and August 2025.

 

 

January 24, 2025​ 

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P.S. 98 SPRING BENEFIT:

"A STARRY NIGHT" FUND RAISER

 

Dear Community Members,
As a Blue Ribbon Award-winning school, P.S. 98 is a cornerstone of the Douglaston community, attracting
families who prioritize academic excellence and enriching learning opportunities.

We invite you to support our annual Spring 2025 Benefit, “A Starry Night,” on April 4, 2025, to celebrate
P.S. 98's excellence. This vibrant evening will feature:

● Cocktail reception with appetizers
● Dinner, Drinks and Dessert
● DJ and dancing
● Silent auction and raffle prizes

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CLICK HERE to read the logistics and ways your contributions can support this event.

 

For questions: Contact the P.S. 98 PTA Spring Gala Planning Committee (eventspta@ps98pta.com)

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January 3, 2025​ 

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CITY OF YES FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY - COMPARISON CHARTS

 

The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal was passed in December, 2024. CLICK HERE  to read the changes imposed on our Communities by the City Planning Commission and the City Council - charts prepared by Paul Graziano

 

 

December 2, 2024​

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AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTES THIS WEEK

TO STEAL OUR HOMES
YOU NEED TO STAND UP NOW,

TOMORROW IS TOO LATE!

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This is the last call to action, You need to call/email all the councilmembers but in particular those bolded below to try and sway them from supporting the mayor. We need you to continue bombarding the Council with calls. There is nothing in the City of Yes proposal to create affordable housing. The City Council Zoning committee voted to approve and forward the Mayor’s plan to the full City Council for a vote later this week. This is the greatest land swindle since the 1890s.  Now it is up to You.

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There is no room in this proposal for a yes vote, the zoning committee modifications are meaningless. The entire proposal has to be defeated so we can come back with a real one that will address our housing affordability crisis in a real and meaningful way with all of our communities together as partners. The main points we should push are:

 

- the city has lost some 400,000 residents over the past decade so where are these units to meet the 100,000 the mayor has called for. There is no shortage of housing units just affordable units that the mayor’s plan fails to address.

 

- we don't need to specifically target our diverse, multiracial, multiethnic, middle-class, low-density neighborhoods to add "a little more housing" in fact, it would be a travesty to destroy the zoning and the way people live in what totals to just 15% of our total housing stock to achieve the minimal goal of City of Yes of expensive housing.

 

- the current zoning, we have in these neighborhoods already have massive growth and development within the current zoning and should be incentivized via programs to do so - in fact this type of growth is already happening here in CB11 on Northern Blvd and Bell Blvd.

 

- City of Yes has no real affordable housing but as such is a giveaway to wealthy, powerful real estate lobbyists and their rich benefactors.

 

- re-zonings like those proposed should start with local councilmembers and community boards so that all partners are involved in such a significant change to how we live 

 

- NO councilmember should vote against the way another councilmember's constituents live - it would be a cruel and unjust vote against the safety and quality of life these good, taxpaying citizens and their families who are long invested in their homes and the larger neighborhoods they hold dear

 

- let's defeat City of Yes now and then sit down with the above in mind, working with local communities to resolve the affordability crisis in a fair and equitable for all New Yorkers from our diverse neighborhoods - we can truly do this together. 

-any attempt to trick us into passing modification is a lie and must be stopped,

No means NO!

 

-Council members in bold type below are on the fence/undecided, please email these Council Members asking them for their support and email those Council Members in favor thanking them.

 

STOP THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY FROM DESTROYING OUR CITY BY STEALING OUR HOMES. SEND A FIRM MESSAGE TO THE CITY COUNICIL. SAY WE WILL VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE OR ANY OTHER OFFICE THEY MIGHT SEEK IN THE FUTURE AND WE WILL SECEDE FROM THE CITY

 

Paul DiBenedetto, Chair, Queens Community Board 11

Sean M Walsh, President Douglaston Civic Association

Warren Schreiber, President of Queens Civic Congress

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CLICK HERE to read Comparison Charts being imposed on our communities by the City Planning Commission and the City Council. Charts prepared by Paul Graziano

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CLICK HERE to read Corey B. Bearack, Esq. narrative summary of Comparison Charts

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CLICK HERE to read Sean Walsh, President of Douglaston Civic Association, letter to City Council Members

 

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Council District 1 - Christopher Marte
Council District 2 - Carlina Rivera
Council District 3 - Eric Bottcher
Council District 4 - Keith Powers
Council District 5 - Julie Menin
Council District 6 - Gale Brewer
Council District 7 - Shaun Abreu
Council District 8 - Diana Ayala
Council District 9 - Yusef Salaam
Council District 10 - Carmen De La Rosa
Council District 11 - Eric Dinowitz
Council District 12 - Kevin Riley Must be called

                                                   Chair Zoning Comm
Council District 13 - Kristy Marmorato
Council District 14 - Pierina Ana Sanchez
Council District 15 - Oswald Feliz
Council District 16 - Althea Stevens
Council District 17 - Rafael Salamanca
Council District 18 - Amanda Farias
Council District 19 - Vickie Paladino
Council District 20 - Sandra Ung
Council District 21 - Francisco Moya
Council District 22 - Tiffany Caban
Council District 23 - Linda Lee
Council District 24 - James Gennaro
Council District 25 - Shekar Krishnan
Council District 26 - Julie Won
Council District 27 - Nantasha Williams
Council District 28 - Adrienne Adams** She must be Called!
Council District 29 - Lynn Schulman
Council District 30 - Robert F. Holden
Council District 31 - Selvena Brooks-Powers
Council District 32 - Joann Ariola
Council District 33 - Lincoln Restler
Council District 34 - Jennifer Gutierrez
Council District 35 - Crystal Hudson
Council District 36 - Chi Osse
Council District 37 - Sandy Nurse
Council District 38 - Alexa Aviles
Council District 39 - Shahana Hanif
Council District 40 - Rita Joseph
Council District 41 - Darlene Mealy
Council District 42 - Chris Banks
Council District 43 - Susan Zhuang
Council District 44 - Kalman Yeger
Council District 45 - Farah Louis
Council District 46 - Mercedes Narcisse
Council District 47 - Justin Brannan
Council District 48 - Inna Vernikov
Council District 49 - Kamillah Hanks
Council District 50 - David Carr
Council District 51 - Joseph Borelli​

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NYC Council Members Email Addresses:
SAbreu@council.nyc.gov
AEAdams@council.nyc.gov
JAriola@council.nyc.gov
AAviles@council.nyc.gov
DAyala@council.nyc.gov

District42@council.nyc.gov
CBarron@council.nyc.gov
JBorelli@council.nyc.gov
EBottcher@council.nyc.gov
JBrannan@council.nyc.gov
GBrewer@council.nyc.gov
SBrooks-Powers@council.nyc.gov
TCaban@council.nyc.gov
DCarr@council.nyc.gov
CDeLaRosa@council.nyc.gov
EDinowitz@council.nyc.gov
AFarias@council.nyc.gov
OFeliz@council.nyc.gov
JGennaro@council.nyc.gov
JGutierrez@council.nyc.gov
SHanif@council.nyc.gov
KHanks@council.nyc.gov
RHolden@council.nyc.gov
CHudson@council.nyc.gov
RJoseph@council.nyc.gov
AKagan@council.nyc.gov
SKrishnan@council.nyc.gov
LLee@council.nyc.gov
FLouis@council.nyc.gov
CMarte@council.nyc.gov
DMealy@council.nyc.gov
JMenin@council.nyc.gov
FMoya@council.nyc.gov
MNarcisse@council.nyc.gov
SNurse@council.nyc.gov
COsse@council.nyc.gov
VPaladino@council.nyc.gov
KPowers@council.nyc.gov
LRestler@council.nyc.gov
KRiley@council.nyc.gov
CLRivera@council.nyc.gov
RSalamanca@council.nyc.gov
PSanchez@council.nyc.gov
AStevens@council.nyc.gov
Sung@council.nyc.gov
MVelazquez@council.nyc.gov
IVernikov@council.nyc.gov
NWilliams@council.nyc.gov
JWon@council.nyc.gov
KYeger@council.nyc.gov
KRichardson@council.nyc.gov
LSchulman@council.nyc.gov

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CLICK HERE to be directed to the addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of our Elected Officials.

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November 12, 2024

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Dear Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free Coalition Members and Friends,

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After Election Day, supporters of the Congestion Tax including Riders Alliance and Transportation Alternatives, have wasted no time in lobbying to put congestion pricing in place before the new President takes office. 

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PLEASE call and email the Governor and let her know, not only should she extend the pause, she should end congestion pricing for good.

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New Yorkers have overwhelmingly rejected the  inflationary and regressive economic impacts of Congestion Pricing (the most recent polls show only 23% of New Yorkers support congestion pricing across all demographics).

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Let the Governor hear your voice over that of the well funded 23%.

 

Please call the Governor at (518) 474-8390 or send her a message at https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

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Use your own message or consider something such as this

"On Election Day New Yorkers and the nation sent a message loud and clear affordability and inflation are chief among the concerns of voters. Indeed the results on Tuesday evidence that New Yorkers overwhelmingly reject inflationary and regressive economic policies like Congestion Pricing.  The last thing New York needs and New Yorkers want is to increase our cost of living more and make things even less affordable. It's time that you as our Governor to end Congestion Pricing once and for all.”

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Thank you.

Best.

-Corey B. Bearak, Esq.

  Senior Policy Advisor Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free

  KeepNYCFree.com

 

 

November 12, 2024

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URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW!

SHOW UP TO SAVE YOUR HOMES!

NOW IS THE TIME TO COME TO THE AID OF YOUR

DOUGLASTON!

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RALLY - SAY "NO" TO THE CITY OF YES!

WHEN:      THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH

TIME:        10:30 - 11:30am

WHERE:   CITY HALL STEPS

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Make your voice heard!

Stop the greatest land swindle in the history of NY City!

Save our one & two family homes

Join us and 100s of Civics from across the city

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Rally Rain or Shine

Information contact: queensresidents@hotmail.com

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Douglaston Civic Association, the QCC and hundreds of civics across NYC are sponsoring this event. This is not "Affordable Housing" that is so desperately needed but about rewarding political supporters.

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ALL DCA Members call write your Council Member SAY NO to Mayor and real-estate industry. Click here for email addresses of all Council Members

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Click here for Op-Ed: 

"Enough is Enough: Why New Yorkers Must Say No to the City of Yes"

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October 22, 2024

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Douglaston Civic Association Testimony in Opposition to the Mayor’s City of Yes Proposal

 

By   Sean M. Walsh, Esq.

At   NYC Land Use Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises Council Land Use Hearing

On October 20 & 21, 2024

 

Thank you for this opportunity to testify in opposition to the Mayor’s City of Yes (Say Yes) proposal. I am testifying today on behalf of the Douglaston Civic Association and in support of the Queens Civic Congress’ statement in opposition. Over the past fifty years, I have served as president of two major civic associations in Queens, served as an officer on Community Boards 3 and 11, have drafted a 197A plan, submitted brief on behalf of the city to the N.Y. Court of Appeals regarding contextual zoning amendments. 

 

There is no question of the need to make residential housing accessible at an affordable price. I agree. Say Yes, however, does not address the underlying factors in the high cost of residential housing.  Land is a scarce commodity that singularity contributes to the high price of housing in N.Y. city.  Say Yes does not provide a remedy for addressing the singular driving factor in the cost of housing.  What Say Yes does is to provide the real estate and construction industries an open license to take the hard-earned property rights of all New Yorkers provided under the Zoning Resolution (ZR) and build with little or no restraint above market rate housing. Say Yes provides increased FAR in exchange for a few residential units but with little restraint to pricing of housing. The first priority in any solution is to preserve the current housing stock that has banked its capital value. The second is to identify plots of land via the ULURP process that can be used to target through ZR text amendments or public/private financing to create specific affordable housing. There is no evidence that the Say Yes proposal would actually reduce rents or building construction costs to create affordable housing. In addition, the City Planning Commission (CPC) use of a sampler approach in drafting its EIS rather than the legally required community-based approach is illegal and will be challenged in the courts.  The irony is this will only delay creating affordable housing.  If the CPC used ULURP to search and find and target suitable housing solutions, e.g., commercial space conversions, isolated vacant plots for small increases in FAR, compatible community up zoning.  The United States west was settled by the government giving land to settlers for free to jump start settlements. The city needs to be more creative in financing living space for its citizens.

 

A serious question needs to be asked as to why the city is pushing Say Yes, such a draconian expansive plan, for so little a guarantee in return of affordable housing units. There is no evidence that the city has considered any alternative solutions of a more limited impact. The 1961 ZR took some twenty years to write, why then rush a plan that has an inadequate EIS and lacks supporting evidence for its drastic changes. The financial impact of Say Yes on the rich diverse population of Queens would be devastating especially on the racial/ethnic communities.  Therefore, we have no confidence in the underlying premise CPC presents or the integrity of the process; we ask that the U.S. Department investigate this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sean Walsh

President

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October 19, 2024

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"City of Yes" Presentation and Important information and dates

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Dear Colleagues,

 

Please take a moment to click on this link to read the  Queens Civic Congress updates, calendar of events and instructions to help defeat the City of Yes (CoY) proposals. This is the most important time for you to take action. Inaction may very well lead to the CoY being passed and our neighborhoods forever urbanized. 

 

A link is also provided for you to sign up for the all-important City Council Zoning Committee. hearing (October 22nd), which you can sign up to attend in person or via Zoom (the latter is probably best for most of us). If somehow you cannot attend the hearing, please write a letter to the Zoning Committee now or within 3 days after the hearing.  

 

If you click on “Paul Graziano Presentation” you will be linked to Paul’s brief but well written notes that will help you to formulate testimony or a letter to the committee. Please read closely, as his primer makes the subject clear and provides specific directions for you to write your own statement, while still reflecting the common goals we share across the city to stop this extinction level event from crushing our communities.

For the past 20+ years I have been a civic activist focusing primarily on zoning and land-use issues in our beloved community. City of Yes is the single greatest threat I have ever seen to our quality and way of life. Please join us in stopping City of Yes. 

 

Yours truly,

Paul

______________

Paul DiBenedetto

Chair, Queens Community Board 11

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October 9, 2024

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"City of Yes" Final Showdown!
Tuesday October 22

On Tuesday October 22 the City Council will hold a public hearing and then vote on Mayor Adams' disastrous "City of Yes" plan that would eliminate One-Family Zoning and drastically affect our eastern Queens neighborhoods. The Mayor's legal problems make it more likely that the plan can be defeated or substantially scaled back in the Council.

 

CLICK HERE to read the email from Paul Graziano of Save1FamilyNY, who has spearheaded opposition to the plan, for more information on contacting wavering Councilmembers and signing up to testify against the plan.

 

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September 13, 2024

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PRESS RALLY

Say "NO to the "City of Yes"

Monday, September 16th at 5pm

212th Street & 38th Ave

Bayside, NY

(just north of the Bayside LIRR)

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NY State Assemblyman Ed Braunstein is holding a Press Conference. The City of Yes Proposal will forever urbanize our low-density neighborhoods and ruin the quality of life that we and our families enjoy in our great city.

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Please try to attend. Let's show up in numbers to send a strong message of unity to the Mayor and City Council.

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Street parking is limited, please arrive early.

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URGENT MESSAGE  

City of Yes Queens Borough President's Hearing: Register to testify August 8 at 10am!

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There will be a City of Yes for Housing Opportunity hearing at Queens Borough Hall at 10am on Thursday, August 8. You may testify in person or via Zoom. The link to attend virtually is below.

Queens BP City of Yes Zoom signup

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Speaking time can also be arranged by calling (718) 286-2860 between 9am to 5pm prior to the date of the hearing.

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Written testimony is welcome from those unable to testify live. All written testimony must be received by 5pm. on Thursday, August 8, 2024 and may be submitted by e-mail to planning2@queensbp.nyc.gov or by conventional mail sent to the Office of the Queens Borough President at 120-55 Queens Boulevard - Room 226, Kew Gardens, NY 11424.

If you are a resident of Queens, please attend and let the BP know how you feel about this disaster that he supports.

Thanks for your time and effort.
Paul Graziano

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July 9, 2024

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URGENT MESSAGE  

We must all speak up on July 10 at the City of Yes City Planning Commission Hearing.  There will be a vote before the City Council latter this summer, but we need to show strength in opposition Now!

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Join via Zoom and give your public testimony:

·       To show that we will not be silenced and fooled by the propaganda and lies in the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity being put forth by Mayor Adams, Dan Garodnick and the City Planning Commission.

·       We need to communicate to the City Council, journalists, and other interested parties that we are 100% opposed to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which will cause wholesale destruction and elimination of our communities. 

·       It is incumbent upon all of us to show up, speak out and participate in this process. This is not a theoretical exercise, so we have the most to lose. We live in our neighborhoods - and we vote!

 

Please tell your friends and neighbors to sign up as soon as  the Zoom link becomes available will be on Wednesday, July 10th around 9am. Details in the email below.

 

 If you have any questions or comments, get in touch with Paul Graziano asap at save1familyny.org or President Sean Walsh at DCA email below.

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See arguments you may use below.  SMW

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For the full notice and links, please read the PDF at this link.

The City Planning Commission (CPC), acting as lead agency, issued a Notice of Completion on April 26, 2024
for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal in
accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law. A public hearing on the DEIS will be held
on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM in conjunction with the CPC’s public hearing.

To continue to allow for broad public participation, the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) will
hold the public hearing accessible both in-person and remotely via the teleconferencing application Zoom.
Comments are requested on the DEIS and will be accepted through 5:00 PM, July 22, 2024.

To join the meeting and comment, please visit the NYC Engage site, https://www.nyc.gov/engage.

If you would like to register to testify via phone, need assistance with technical issues, or have any questions
about participation you may call any of the phone numbers listed below, then enter the following Meeting ID.
(877) 853-5247 (Toll-free)
(888) 788-0099 (Toll-free)
(213) 338-8477 (Toll)
(253) 215-8782 (Toll)

Then enter the following meeting ID and password when prompted.
Meeting ID: 618 237 7396
Password: 1
[The Participant ID can be skipped by pressing #]

Instructions on how to participate, as well as materials relating to the hearing, will be posted on the
NYC Engage site on the day of the Public Hearing, no later than 1 hour prior to the hearing.
To help the meeting host effectively manage members of the public who sign up to comment, those who do not
intend to actively participate are invited to watch the livestream or the recording that will be posted after the
meeting. The Public Hearing livestream can be found in the above referenced NYC Engage site and will be
made available on the day of the Public Hearing.

Comments are requested on the DEIS and will be accepted through 5:00 pm, Monday, July 22, 2024. They can
be submitted via email to 24DCP033Y_DL@planning.nyc.gov or mailed to Stephanie Shellooe, AICP, Director,
Environmental Assessment and Review Division, New York City Department of City Planning, 120 Broadway,
31st Floor, New York, New York 10271
 

 

​City of Yes - Call to Action on July 10th!

 

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After two months of Community Board hearings and votes on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, that part of the process has finally come to a close.

 

The work that we have put in to make it clear to Community Boards across the city about our total opposition to this apocalyptic package of proposed citywide zoning changes has paid off.

 

·       In every borough outside of Manhattan, a large majority of boards has voted NO.

·       In Staten Island, it’s unanimous opposition from Community Boards – 3 out of 3.

·       In Queens, 12 of 14 Boards voted No.

·       In the Bronx, which had a majority in favor of the Economic Opportunity package, it’s 7 No, 4 Yes with 1 that hasn’t voted.

·       And, in Brooklyn, where we are still waiting for a complete tally, we know that a majority have voted NO.  

 

The deadline for the Community Boards and Borough Presidents to file their votes and testimony to the City Planning Commission is Monday, July 8th.

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We thought that this process would continue in September at the City Planning Commission. However, they had other plans.

 

Last Wednesday, the City Planning Commission stealthily announced that they will have their (most likely sole) public hearing on Wednesday, July 10th at 10am (see below and here).  

 

We already know that the City Planning Commission intends to vote in favor of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. 

 

It’s their proposal and, based on what happened back in March when they had their hearing on the Economic Opportunity portion of the City of Yes, they will pretend that the Community Boards and Public were mostly in favor and approve it with extremely minor changes.

 

Regardless of how they will vote, we MUST show up in force to this hearing, testify and tell them EXACTLY WHAT WE THINK OF THE CITY OF YES FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY!

 

However, don’t bother going to the hearing in person. Sitting for 6 hours or more in their small hearing room in order to testify for two minutes is, frankly, a waste of your time.

 

Like the previous Economic Opportunity hearing, this one will be hybrid – in-person and on Zoom – so you will be able to get in your two minutes by Zoom. However, if you are testifying by Zoom, they will not give the actual Zoom information or link out until one hour or so before the hearing - at 9am on Wednesday, July 10th.

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It’s important for us to give our public testimony for at least three reasons:

 

·       To show that we will not be silenced and fooled by the propaganda and lies in the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity being put forth by Mayor Adams, Dan Garodnick and the City Planning Commission.

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·       We need to communicate to the City Council, journalists and other interested parties that we are 100% opposed to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which will cause wholesale destruction and elimination of our communities.

 

·       We must be on the public record and our voices need to be heard. If this ultimately does pass at the City Council, it will be part of any lawsuit that we file against the city due to the Department of City Planning's clearly and purposefully deficient Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is the basis of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.

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Here are a few tips to testifying on Zoom:

 

·       Be brief and to the point. Make sure that you keep your remarks specific and short as they will switch your microphone off when the bell marks two minutes. Try to time your testimony beforehand on a stopwatch so that you keep it shorter than that so you can get all of your points across.

 

·       Stay focused on our common concerns - we are all in this together. Our position has been that we are 100% opposed to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and that this is non-negotiable, as each and every part of the proposed zoning text will destroy our communities across the city - particularly lower-density, but high-density areas as well. Keeping our testimony clear and focused should be the goal, including such key issues as reminding them that we know it’s not going to create affordable housing of any kind, will replace owner-occupied housing with market-rate rental units, increase density without infrastructure and ultimately end enforcement of illegal apartments throughout the city.

 

·       Most of all, keep it local. If you are the president, officer or other representative of a civic, homeowner or other umbrella organization, make sure that you identify the organization and how many households you represent in your geographical area (not your paid membership). Also make sure that you identify your neighborhood and what borough you’re from. In other words, please tailor your testimony to your own neighborhoods as much as possible to show how economically and demographically diverse communities with different building types and occupancy (one-family, two-family, rowhouses, garden apartments, coops, etc.) will be affected.

 

It is incumbent upon all of us to show up, speak out and participate in this process. This is not a theoretical exercise, so we have the most to lose. We live in our neighborhoods - and we vote! Please tell your friends and neighbors to sign up as soon as the Zoom link becomes available. This will be on Wednesday, July 10th around 9am.

 

If you have any other questions or comments, get in touch with me this week!

 

Best,

Paul Graziano

save1familyny.org

 

For the full notice and links, please read the PDF at this link.

 

The City Planning Commission (CPC), acting as lead agency, issued a Notice of Completion on April 26, 2024 for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law. A public hearing on the DEIS will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM in conjunction with the CPC’s public hearing. 

 

To continue to allow for broad public participation, the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) will hold the public hearing accessible both in-person and remotely via the teleconferencing.

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MAY 29, 2024

 

SAY "NO" TO THE CITY OF YES!     

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URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW!  

SHOW UP SAVE YOUR HOMES!  NOW IS THE TIME TO COME TO THE AID OF YOUR DOULASTON!

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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!  STOP THE GREATEST LAND SWINDLE IN THE HISTORY OF NY CITY! SAVE OUR ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMES

 

RALLY 

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JOIN US AND 100s OF CIVICS FROM ACROSS THE CITY:

 

CITY HALL PARK 
FRIDAY, MAY 31st 2024

10:45 am

 

Rally Rain or Shine 

Information Contact: queensresidents@hotmail.com

 

Douglaston Civic Association, the QCC, and hundreds of civics across New York City are sponsoring this event.

This is not “Affordable Housing” that is so desperately needed but about rewarding political supporters.

 

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MAY 22, 2024

 

LONG ISLAND SOUND STUDY

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If you Live, Work, or Play in the Long Island Sound Region, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Join us for the upcoming in-person or virtual Public Engagement Sessions.

Tuesday, May 28th from 2-4pm or 6-8pm at the

Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens. NY

CLICK HERE for more information

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April 19, 2024

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST QUEENS CHRONICLE ARTICLE:

"TEXT UPDATED FOR CITY OF YES HOUSING PLAN"

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April 11, 2024

 

DOUGLASTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION TESTIMONY BY SEAN LYNCH IN OPPOSITION TO "CITY OF YES".

New York City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises public hearing regarding the Mayor’s “City of Yes” zoning initiative Monday, April 8, 2024, at 10:30 am.  Douglaston Civic Association Testimony by Sean M. Walsh in opposition.

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We represent 12,000 residents and hundreds of businesses in Douglaston. This proposal and the residential piece which is scheduled to come before you later this year are allegedly to solve the housing shortage. But in fact, it exasperates the housing shortage by increasing costs and thereby residential and commercial rents. The City of Yes for Economic Opportunity 18 proposals will destroy our neighborhoods if this becomes law. Two-thirds of the Community Boards across the city have voted against the City of Yes proposal and others put significant qualifiers on their approvals.  Increasing density without lowering the land costs via public participation, e.g., Mitchell-Lama will not help businesses or renters. We don’t want every corner on every residential block to potentially have 2,500 square feet of commercial or office development. (Proposal #16). CPC notes the empty store fronts but then in this proposal increases commercial FAR. This does not address affordable housing.  No EIS has been conducted on this proposal as required by law. So, this is coming right back to you from the courts, so don’t waste time housing can’t wait let’s get this right. You have the power to reject this and send it back to City Planning to be developed in coordination with local communities throughout the city. Local communities know best what businesses need expansion or contraction in to relation to expanded residential space. This is an election issue for us.  Cut local business taxes and You build affordable housing and increase the minimum wage these are the things that matter to solve the housing crisis. Preservation of our current housing stock is critical to increasing the economics of rentals. 

​

 We stand ready to sit down and evaluate what is best for businesses and residents in each community, this is not a one size shoe fits all solution. Ask yourselves other than real estate developers and construction workers who has asked for these particular changes, local business people or renters or home owners did not. Beware of New Yorkers voting with their feet, let’s be constructive and work together.

 

Some specifics objections are: we don’t need large parcels of residential land to be able to build 15,000 square feet of commercial development. (Proposal #15) We don’t need every residential unit in the city, whether it’s an apartment or private house, to have the ability to become a commercial business with up to 3 employees! (Proposal #11).  SMW

 

 

April 11, 2024

 

BUILD THE BLOCK

Meet your Neighborhood Coordination Officers and discuss your public safety concerns on April 16th at 7:30pm.

 

Location:

39-50 Douglaston Parkway

The Community Church of Douglaston

(hosted with the Douglaston Civic Association)

CLICK HERE for flyer.

 

March 1, 2024

 

SAY NO TO MAYOR ADAMS "CITY OF YES" PROPOSAL

CALL OR WRITE AN OPPOSITION LETTER TODAY

 

The Mayor has proposed a complete revision of the N.Y. City Zoning Resolution that will in effect eliminate one family zoning and substantially increase the height of buildings in residential and commercial zones. Historic Districts and Restrictive Convents will provide no meaningful defense to this plan. His proposal is meant to increase development exponentially and is purposefully targeting lower-density areas like Douglaston and Little Neck.

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It is urgent that you write a letter today to Mayor Adams, Community Board 11 and our elected officials opposing this proposal. CLICK HERE to download a sample letter.

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Scroll down to read more details about this proposal.

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URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL DOUGLASTON RESIDENTS

 

The Mayor has proposed a complete revision of the N.Y. City Zoning Resolution that will in effect eliminate one family zoning and substantially increase the height of buildings in residential and commercial zones. Historic Districts and Restrictive Convents will provide no meaningful defense to this plan. We are meeting with other civics and public officials within and without the city (because our sources tell us the Governor will introduce a similar proposal statewide). DCA led the battle to defeat the Governor's attempt last year to eliminate one family home zoning.  We will lead this battle again. This is the greatest threat to our community we have ever faced.  Watch this sight for more information and updates.  

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Click here to read map of Present R1-R6 Zoning impacted 

 

Click here to read the City of Yes - Housing Opportunity in

 

Queens County - Douglaston & Little Neck - Brief Study and Analysis

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Click here to read "SAY NO TO CITY OF YES!

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Click here to read City of Yes - Economic Opportunity Presentation

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Click here to read City of Yes - Economic Opportunity Short Responses to 18 Proposals

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Click here to read the draft scope of work.

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CB 11 Hearing on Mayor Adam's City of Yes Proposal

Click here to read Sean Walsh, President of the Douglaston Civic Association, statement on behalf of the Douglaston Residents.

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February 16, 2024

 

SAVE THE DATE!

Dear friends and supporters,

 

The Udalls Cove Preservation Committee will hold its 55th Annual Shoreline, Wetlands and Woodlands Cleanup on Saturday morning, April 13, 2024.  We look forward to welcoming many of you to this event.

 

To our esteemed elected and government officials, we hope that you will be able to join us during our brief Annual Meeting starting at 10:00 AM on April 13.  If so, we invite you to say a few words to our members and volunteers.

 

Details about the event will be included in follow-up emails closer to the date, on our Facebook page, and in our annual newsletter that will be published in early March.

 

Best regards,

 

Walter Mugdan, President

Udalls Cove Preservation Committee

http://www.udallscove.org

917-832-0208 (mobile)

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February 10, 2024

 

PLEASE VOTE, IT IS YOUR RIGHT AND DUTY

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Click here to view the District 03 Election Debate aired on Channel 12 on February 8th with Tom Suozzi and Mazi Pilip.

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February 5, 2024

 

CITY SAYS YES TO GAMBLING, NOT HOUSING OR PARKS. WE SAY NO.

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Next week is going to be a BIG moment to stop the Citi Field casino and launch Phoenix Meadows! FED-UP is participating in two key events and NEED our supporters, partners and allies to raise their voice and make your presence known---join us in person (if you are able) and help to spread the word! The events are: 

 

March to Stop the Casino:

Sat, Feb 2nd 12-2pm---Lippman Plaza

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Join FADA and FED-UP for a march from Flushing to Citi Field to call for a stop to the casino project and start to Phoenix Meadows! The march will begin at Lippman Plaza (39th Ave between Main St and Union St) and will end by the Mets-Willets Point 7 train. Here's the link to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

 

FED-UP presenting at Ramos Town Hall:

Wed, Feb 7th 6:30pm---NYSCI

​

Join us and spread the word for Sen Ramos' town hall on Wed, Feb 7th at 6:30pm at the NY Hall of Science. FED-UP will present the Phoenix Meadows Vision Plan alongside Steve Cohen's team presenting their casino plan. This is an all-hands-on-deck, loudest-voice-wins kind of event. Bring your family! Tell your friends! We'll have snacks! 

 

Click here for the March to Stop the Casino! flyer

 

 

January 27, 2024

 

WHERE ARE ALL THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS AND SPEED CAMERAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

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In a service to our members, DCA is sharing this site (CLICK HERE)  from the Internet that shows the current location of all red light and speed cameras in the Metropolitan area. (Red Light Cameras are in red, Speed Cams are in green.)

 

Click here for sample page of Douglaston-Little Neck locations. However you can search other locations, and the map is scalable to allow you to view a larger area or target a more tailored local view.

 

We hope this will help you drive safely.

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December 12, 2023

​​

HOCHUL UNVEILS MASTER PLAN TO BRING 2,800 HOUSING UNITS TO CREEDMOOR CAMPUS IN EASTERN QUEENS

Click here to read a summary of the plans.

​

​

November 29, 2023

​​

URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL DOUGLASTON RESIDENTS

 

The Mayor has proposed a complete revision of the N.Y. City Zoning Resolution that will in effect eliminate one family zoning and substantially increase the height of buildings in residential and commercial zones. Historic Districts and Restrictive Convents will provide no meaningful defense to this plan. We are meeting with other civics and public officials within and without the city (because our sources tell us the Governor will introduce a similar proposal statewide). DCA led the battle to defeat the Governor's attempt last year to eliminate one family home zoning.  We will lead this battle again. This is the greatest threat to our community we have ever faced.  Watch this sight for more information and updates.  

​

Click here to read map of Present R1-R6 Zoning impacted 

 

Click here to read the City of Yes - Housing Opportunity in

 

Queens County - Douglaston & Little Neck - Brief Study and Analysis

​

Click here to read "SAY NO TO CITY OF YES!

​

Click here to read City of Yes - Economic Opportunity Presentation

​

Click here to read City of Yes - Economic Opportunity Short Responses to 18 Proposals

​

Click here to read the draft scope of work.

​

CB 11 Hearing on Mayor Adam's City of Yes Proposal

Click here to read Sean Walsh, President of the Douglaston Civic Association, statement on behalf of the Douglaston Residents.

 

 

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

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QNS Op-Ed: Any Creedmoor plan must serve the needs of eastern Queens

by Corey Beak and Bryan Block
 

For several years, the communities of eastern Queens have engaged in discussions with our community leaders, our local and state elected officials and Empire State Development (ESD) about possible reuse of 55 acres of land on the state’s Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus. We long recognized the campus as a resource for eastern Queens and took steps to ensure any reuses served the needs of our communities.

​

That remains the case today with the plan we developed, Queens Community Board 13 adopted and we shared with ESD and our elected city and state officials. It would create housing that enables our seniors and our young adults to choose to remain in eastern Queens. At the same time, it allows for more practical use of our existing housing stock for families who seek the variety of housing (one- and two-family homes, co-operatives and rentals) that already exists throughout eastern Queens.

 

While Creedmoor has a Queens Village address, the parcels deemed surplus lie within Bellerose and Queens Community Board 13, which hugs the Queens-Nassau border from the Grand Central Parkway south to the JFK Airport (which is considered to sit within the community district bounds). Community District 13 includes Bellaire, Bellerose, Brookville, Cambria Heights, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Laurelton, Meadowmere, New Hyde Park, North Shore Towers, Queens Village, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Warnerville and Wayanda.

​

That process led to neighborhood leaders including Community Board 13 Chair Bryan Block convening to discuss options for developing the surplus Creedmoor parcels as 2023 began. We presented the plan to Community Board 13’s Land Use Committee, which submitted a resolution to the full board and was adopted based on our plan.

 

 

We identified six priorities:

1. Serve needs of community first
2. Low to medium density scale of development
3. Utilize wherever possible existing building exteriors and possible interiors
4.  Adequate parking consistent with uses
5.  Adequate public transit
6. Environmental remediation of entire south campus

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We identified five needs:

1. Senior housing
2. Veteran’s housing and services
3. Use housing forms compatible and consistent in character with the community including co-ops, single family and two family homes
4. Starter housing including studios for our young adults and families
5. Recreation center serving intergenerational needs including a pool

 

No one should be surprised by what we found objectionable (prisons; juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters, buildings above four stories and big box retail stores) at that location which abuts P.S. 18Q, P.O. Officer Joseph Gunn Playground, the Hollis – Bellaire – Queens Village – Bellerose Little League field complex, various nonprofit human services programs and lies within a few blocks of Martin Van Buren High School, the Glen Oaks School Campus (High School for the Teaching Profession, P.S./I.S. 208, P.S./I.S. 266) and Alley Pond Park.

 

The Glen Oaks Campus schools directly resulted from our community work on a 1997 Civic Master Plan for Creedmoor under the aegis of the Queens Civic Congress, when the Pataki administration sought to commercially develop the then part of the Creedmoor campus. That development met and to this day serves a compelling community need. Housing schemes pressed by those outside this community board make no sense in eastern Queens. That model got developed in concert with those communities and fails to address the needs and priorities Queens Community Board 13 approved and presented to ESD and our elected officials.

 

Some 25 years later, our communities seek to serve today’s needs using our community’s resource and the entire City will benefit as a result.

 

Corey Bearak, a co-founder of the Queens Civic Congress, is a Community Board 13 member over 30 years, member of its Land Use Committee, acting President of North Bellerose Civic Association and chair the Board of Services Now for Adult Persons, Inc

 

Bryan Block serves as Chair of Queens Community Board 13 and is President of the Cambria Heights Civic Association

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Click here to read the QNA Op-Ed article with images

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APRIL 23, 2023

 

 

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DCA DEFEATS GOVERNOR' AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN

 

DCA received confirmation from the N.Y. Legislature that Governor Hockul’s Affordable Housing Plan was defeated.  While the Legislature will continue to discuss multiple budgetary issues over the coming weeks, her proposal to phase out one family homes, expand multiple dwelling with no height restrictions, and giving amnesty to illegal basement apartments has been pulled out of the budget. This was not an affordable housing plan but a boondoggle for the real estate interests.

 

The DCA was a major force in taking on the Governor and the real estate money interests supporting it.  The DCA forged an alliance with key legislators throughout the entire state and various civic and good government groups.  DCA hosted the first meeting here at the Douglaston Club to an overflow crowd sending a strong message to Albany. No!

 

I want to extend a special thank you to our elected officials who stood their ground against intense pressure from the real estate interests. We would not have been successful without their advocacy on our behalf: Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, Chair Cities Committee; Senator Toby Stavisky; as well as neighboring elected officials: Senator John Liu; Senator Joe Addabbo; Senator Leroy Comrie S.E. Queens: and so many Mayors and Supervisors from L.I. and upstate.

 

In additional but just as important, I want to thank the leadership from the following civic leaders who stood with me: leader Paul Graziano, Save One Family & Leader; Walter Mugdan, Westmoreland Civic; Paul DiBenedetto, Chair CB 11; Warren Schreiber, Pres. Queens Civic Congress; and many others. Today we won a great victory because we worked together and had facts on our side. The issue of providing affordable housing remains, we need to address it with effective policies that are transparent, Thank You.  

 

Sean M. Walsh, President