Parking Woes In Howard Beach
Say Medical Center Clientèle Taking Away Needed Spaces
by Ralph Mancini
A Howard Beach business owner’s frustrations with a next-door medical center over the ramifications presented by a lack of parking spaces came to light during the Thursday, Feb. 7 Community Board 10 meeting held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in South Ozone Park.
Howard Beach parking woes
A local dentist appeared at the conference to protest the fact that his practice’s driveway, located on 156th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard, is constantly being occupied by the medical center’s clientele due to a shortage of parking.
“[Vehicles] pull into a driveway and discharge people. If someone falls on my property, I’m going to be held legally responsible. It shouldn’t be. No one pulls into their driveway.”
The building in question recently underwent an expansion that has reportedly caused the current space issues.
A stop-work order that temporarily put a halt to further expansion was recently rescinded by the Department of Buildings, according to Board 10 District Manager Karyn Petersen, who also added that the work was originally stopped due to “the medical center’s failure to provide a parking plan.”
The facility previously served as a two-family semi-detached residence, said one area resident.
“We’re really worried about further expansion because literally there’s no room,” observed the dentist. “It’s just too big for our location. There’s no provisions for parking. It’s possibly a 4,000 square foot building, including use of the basement.”
The disgruntled business owner confirmed that he unsuccessfully tried to reach out to the public advocate’s office along with a number of city agencies on the matter.
Chairperson Elizabeth Braton assured the community member that the Board is continuing to ask questions to the DOB about why a variance was ever allowed to move forward.
Braton was further taken aback by the fact that the office’s lot is devoid of any handicapped access points.
“We are as frustrated about this as you are. We will continue to be a thorn on their side,” she said while also promising that Board 10 will also pressure the Department of Transportation on the current state of parking and traffic in the area.
The next-door complainant went on to detail problems experienced by other neighbors who have no access to their driveway because of cars belonging to patients who obstruct their entrance point.
Debate on zoning proposal
Board member John Calcagnile addressed concerns brought up by a local resident regarding six bulk modifications and clarifications put forth by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The meeting attendee particularly inquired about a component that would permit builders to build to the property’s lot line on both sides, and thus forgoing current setbacks set by the city.
In the past, various community leaders have reportedly taken issue with this proposal due to the belief that it would effectively eradicate open spaces between developments, diminish unencumbered areas and discourage architectural diversity.
Calcagnile, who’s also an AIA member, defended the group’s drafted resolution by pointing out that the “side-lots” text amendment would mostly affect properties in Manhattan’s high-zoning R6 to R10 districts rather than local neighborhoods of Queens.
The modifications, according to Calcagnile, are presently being reviewed by the Department of City Planning. A decision will reportedly be rendered by the end of the month.
Board 10, informed Braton, hasn’t yet taken a position on any of the AIA’s text amendments.
FDNY response times
Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee Frank Dardani reported an increase in FDNY response times in Queens. In fact, he said that Queens came in last in response time among all five New York City boroughs.
Dardani didn’t have any statistics for the area of Community Board 10.
CERT training
Dardani announced that Community Emergency Response Team training will be offered in March. No specific dates were given.
Those who eventually become CERT members after an 11-week course are encouraged to take a more active role in emergency preparedness in their community.
Those interested in signing up are invited to call Board 10 headquarters at 1-718-843-4488.
New website
During her District Manager’s Report, Petersen apprised everyone that thanks to the efforts of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and a grant from Con Edison, Community Board 10 and all other borough community boards now have a website. Board 10’s website can be accessed by visiting www.queenscb.org.
Noise mitigation
In her JFK International report, Board member Nellie Santiago communicated that Borough President Marshall has requested and received funding for a noise abatement study in the surrounding areas of the airport.
Changing of the guard
Board members were alerted to Donna Morello’s resignation. Her replacement as the chair of the Budget Committee will be Sean McCabe.
Community Board 10 regularly meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 135-45 Lefferts Blvd. in South Ozone Park . Meetings begin at 7:45 p.m.
