It has come to our attention that the remaining undeveloped six acres of the old CYO camp has recieved a 50% tax break and was then immediatly taken of the market. This is of great concern to us for many reasons: First off, no other homeowner in the area has recieved any type of tax break especially not a 50% tax cut. Secondly, this property was originaly approved for 55 new homes, which would lead to more congestion and more traffic.
Let alone the fact that the property does not have any sewer system or infrastructure. Where will these homes dump their daily waste? ( one of the ideas that DEP was throwing around was ripping up all of 3rd avenue and placing a sewer line there)Where are the roads going to be? HAS THERE BEEN ANY IMPACT STUDY? IF SO WHERE IS IT? IF NOT THERE NEEDS TO BE ONE BEFORE ANY WORK CAN BEGIN.
THIS IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE NEED TO HAVE A SAY IT WHAT GOES ON ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
Malba Gardens Civic Dedicated to the Safety and Preservation of our Community.
10 comments:
Regarding the development of the old CYO people are - understandably - curious and concerned. However, I feel that the immediate anti-development stance is shortsighted for several reasons: 1.) The idea that the development site will be turned into a park is just silly. No community group will ever raise enough $ to buy it. IF it were turned into a park, who is going to pay to have it built, maintained, and staffed? The taxpayer. 2.) There is ALREADY a beautiful park three blocks away from the site - a photo of which is actually on your blog. 3.) Do you realize the amount of tax revenue that those new homes will bring in? The revenue will keep your taxes down, in turn, pay firefighters, teachers, etc. 4.) Think how many jobs will be created as those homes are built. 5.) Those new homeowners will shop at local businesses and pump $ into Whitestone. 6.)You live in New York CITY. Cities grow and develop. If you want a dead, non-developing neighborhood, move Upstate. Talk to the Upstaters ... find out how lack of development is working for them (You can find alot of them packing up and leaving ...as evidenced by the latest Census.) There are no jobs, high taxes, and no growth. 7.) Probably as recently as 70 years ago your property was old farmland ... someone didn't want to see THAT developed either. But everyone survived. 8.)You know, cemeteries have "trees and walkways," too. Doesn't do much for the inhabitants there, either. 9.)It's private property. You shouldn't have a say in what's going to go there. It's not yours to develop or not to develop. What ever happened to freedom in this country? Why do we have to get the government involved in ALL of our private enterprise????
Cut Councilman Halloran some slack: he is just trying to keep the local economy afloat while people are proposing parks over development. He's probably not responding b/c there is no bake sale big enough that's going to enable the purchase of that property.
CUT THE COUNCILMAN SOME SLACK? REALLY? ARE YOU CRAZY? HE WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE. ASK UPSTATERS? HOW ABOUT THOSE BY GRAMMACY PARK???
HOW IS YOUR TAX BREAK THIS YEAR? 50% ? WHY SHOULD THEY GET A TAX BREAK AND NOT YOU? YOU WANT MY INCREASES?
WHY WAS THIS PROPERTY ALREADY APPROVED FOR 55 NEW HOMES WITH NO IMPACT STUDIES? ISN'T THAT ILLEGAL?
CUT THE COUNCILMAN A BREAK? THAT IS HIS JOB. TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT.
THERE ARE LAWS THAT NEED TO BE FOLLOWED, AND WHAT IS RIGHT IS RIGHT. DEVELOP ALL YOU WANT, JUST DONT INTRUDE ON THE CURRENT RESIDENTS.
KEEP TAXES DOWN, WHERE? THEY GOT A 50% TAX BREAK DID YOU READ THAT? 50%!!!!!
NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT AN ANTI DEVELOPMENT STANCE, JUST SUGGESTED A PARK OR SOME SORT OF SMALL COMMUNITY CENTER THAT FITS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND INCORPORATES PATHS WITH SMALL GARDENS AS IN GRAMMACY PARK.
IF WE LIVE IN NY CITY WHY ARE CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS ALLOWED TO NOT PUT SIDEWALKS WHEN BUILDING? A COUNTRY SETTING? IN THE CITY? WELL THEN IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY NOT A PARK?
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING FOR COUNCILMAN HALLORAN?
Addressing your last comment, not only do I not work for him, but I did not even vote for him.
I believe that there have been traffic studies related to that development. They are opening up some streets that were previously only open to private companies to accomodate traffic flow. I believe that at least one street - possibly two - will be created within the development, also.
Gramercy Park residents pay an annual fee to be allowed a key to the park. Francis Lewis Park is free and close. I, too, would love to live on Gramercy Park. Get in line: it is some of the most sought after residential real estate in the world. But - guess what? - I can't afford it, so I go to my local park.
Again, a park or community center will cost taxpayers .... it has to be created, staffed, cleaned, snow will have to be removed, insurance will have to be purchased, trees pruned, plumbing maintained, etc., etc. It is all well and good to want a park, but it is a money taker, not a money maker for the community. There are ample community centers around serving the neighborhood: libraries, religious groups, and YMCAs all have programs to serve the community.
The City often gives tax breaks to businesses ... it's called "growing the economy." If they didn't give those breaks, businesses would never be able to get going. Besides, the City giving a break NOW, means more tax revenue LATER when those homeowners start paying taxes to the City. It's an investment. It keeps your taxes down to have a good economy.
Halloran IS representing the people of this district .... I'm sure there are many people who think like I do. Maybe we just don't have a blog.
You mention "following the law." What law are the developers breaking by building on private property that is approved residential land?
As far as not intruding on current residents .... I believe that to be unfair. When you bought/rented your home you were never promised "no development" in your neighborhood. You may not like it, but unless you live in a landmarked neighborhood, that's what is going to happen.
If there have been studies as required by law, our elected officials including community board 7 have been unable to produce them. As a matter of fact, when the Waterside Estates was developed they were unable to produce the impact studies for that as well. Also, how were they allowed to build homes with no sidewalks?
I never said that a developer could not build on private property that is approved residential land, re read what I said. ( It has already been approved for 55 new homes AND NO, THERE ARE NO IMPACT STUDIES DONE, ASK YOUR COUNCILMAN)
The blog made suggestions, that might alleviate some of the concerns many residents have voiced while creating a healthy environment as well as have a positive impact on all our investments. I happen to agree and have seen the councilman in action as well as the CB.
Funny how you mentioned rent, like the many illegal two families that are being built in the area, along with the illegal basements croping up all over the area. Many of the Whitestone residents moved away from that.
I NEVER SAID HALLORAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HIS ACTIVITIES DURING THE TORNADO AND BLIZZARD ARE WELL NOTED AND APPRECIATED. HIS $35,000 OF RESO A MONEY TO PS 79 IS A WONDERFUL THING. HIS MONEY TO DG IS MUCH APPRECIATED BY ALL THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE MONEY HE GAVE WHITESTONE TAXPAYERS IS A GREAT THING.
THIS IS CLASSIC BY THE WAY, THROW SOME TAXPAYER MONEY AROUND TO THE LOCAL GROUPS , GET A PHOTO OP, AND SAY, LOOK, LOOK, WHAT IVE DONE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO YOU FEEL THAT A 50% TAX BREAK IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES WHEN THE REST OF US RECIEVED AN INCREASE OF AT LEAST $150.00 A YEAR IS FAIR? WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE INFRASTUCTURE THAT WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THE PROPERTY?
DO YOU KNOW THERE IS A SMALL TOWN WITH POPULATION AROUND 1000 IN THE MIDWEST WITH A STATE OF THE ART COMMUNITY CENTER/ GARDEN THAT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND STATE OF THE ART? IT IS MAINTAINED BY A LOCAL UNIVERSITY. I WILL GET YOU THE DETAILS SHORTLY.
AGAIN I AM NOT AGAINST ANY DEVELOPMENT (NOR DOES THIS BLOG SAY ANYTHING AGAINST) AS LONG AS ALL IMPACT BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE IT BEGINS.
DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT IN THE MALBA GARDENS SECTION, WITH THE HELP OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN A SMALL COMMUNITY CENTER WITH GARDEN PATHS? I DISAGREE. BUT LET THEM DEVELOP, OR WHATEVER IS BEST, LET THEM EAT CAKE, IF THATS WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS. IT ISN'T I LEFT ASTORIA TO GET AWAY FROM THE OVERDEVELOPMENT.
Well, I STILL live in Astoria. I understand that I live in an urban area and development is part of living in an urban area. Unfortunately, you do not seem to understand that. Evidenced by the fact that you are contrasting Whitestone with a place in the Midwest with a population of 1000. Apples and oranges. I like living in Astoria and in NYC. I embrace the diversity, the dynamism of the city, and the fact that it is not "cookie cutter" like so many place in the Midwest, for instance. Why don't you try to relax and enjoy that fact that you live in a growing, changing CITY? You're only on this planet for a short time and you're driving yourself crazy about trucks, infrastructure, alleged tax breaks, and worst case scenarios.
And, no, Malba Gardens cannot support and garden with walkways - for the many reasons I have already enumerated - but mainly bc nobody will want to pay for maintenance. You are ALREADY complaining about your taxes. Again, you already have community centers and parks in your immediate area .... take advantage of them and stop feeling so entitled. If the City is going to start purchasing more parkland it won't be in your neck of the woods ... it will be in a congested, inner city neighborhood where there is a high rate of asthma. The "Cresthaven Park" dream is dead (unless you win the lottery.)
I never said that you said Halloran didn't do anything.
Tha NYC Board of Standards and Appeals has referenced the impact studies that you say do not exist. Check with them. Your current councilman may not know, but your old one probably will.
The developer will have to pay for sewers, electric, etc. to be put in. There will be no bridges or subways .... so what infrastructure are you talking about?
The illegal two-families and basement apartments are not germaine to this topic. There is no evidence that the new houses to be built will have these illegal apartments.
Finally, using capital letters is that cyberspace equivalent of shouting at someone. May I suggest you use them sparingly in civilized discourse?
While you make some good points, one of the perks of administering your own blog is being able to shout once in a while.
We are driving ourselves crazy about the trucks, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ON A DAILY BASIS.
The NYC Board of Standards and Appeals has referenced the Impact Studies? That is interesting to know when FROM Maura McCarthy DOT Commissioner, Tony Avella Then Councilman, Frank Padavan Then Senator 35 years, Dan Halloran current Councilman, CB 7 , have been unable to produce any of the impact studies We mention. As a matter of fact McCarthy said to Mr. Centola (when asked why she could not locate the studies) " That was before my time as commissioner", while that may be true, SHE WAS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER!.
"FEELING ENTITLED" WHY? FOR ASKING THE THE LAW BE FOLLOWED? FOR ASKING FOR IMPACT STUDIES? You say that our Coucilman is representing "This Neighborhood" yet you just stated you still live in Astoria? which "this" are you talking about?
ARE YOU AWARE THAT COUNCILMAN DROMM HAS SECURED 5 MILLION DOLLARS TO PURCHASE A LOT ACCROSS THE STREET FROM TRAVERS PARK IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE PARK? HOW DID HE PULL THAT OFF? WHY IS IT THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN'T EVEN COME UP WITH TRAFFIC STUDIES YOU SAY ARE ON RECORD?
THE WHITESTONE JEWEL PROPERTY WAS REASSESSED AT 70.6% LESS WHILE THE REST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD AN INCREASE, FAIR?
DO US A FAVOR, WORRY ABOUT THE HIGHRISE GOING UP ON STEINWAY, AND LET US WORRY ABOUT WHERE WE LIVE.
HEY MORON READ ALL THE POST BEFORE YOU ADD YOU 1 CENT COMMENTS. YOU MAY TRY TO SOUND CIVIL AND I BET YOU GET OFFENDED WHEN PEOPLE YELL, GET OVER YOURSELF AND READ BEFORE COMMENTING ON A POST THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. LIKE MY CAPS??????????
"MORON?" Very mature. I am not surprised that nobody takes your arguments seriously ... you come off sounding like a loose cannon. No, I am not "offended" by your caps ... it is just not easy on the eyes and - again - you come off as a loose cannon when you use them too much. It was just a tip.
Now that that is settled: I read all of the posts. To what are you referring when you write that I do not read posts? If anything, I feel like MY posts are taken out of context ... Like somebody read the beginning, but missed the point. Poor critical reading skills, perhaps?
To clarify: I live in Astoria, but I own a property in Whitestone, grew up in Whitestone, work in Whitestone, and do volunteer work in Whitestone. Yeah, I guess you could say it IS my neighborhood.
As far as the "entitled" comment, I was referring to your belief that you should get another park. Malba Gardens is not the center of the universe. The city is facing the worst economic crisis in decades and you expect everyone to drop everything for a few rumbling trucks. Nobody cares... Not right now, anyway. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you.
I did not say that there was or was not an impact study. I just said to check with BSA. Impact studies, by the way, are a load of hooey. Pages and pages of garbage that cost the City alot of money (again) and do not mean anything. They make plenty of money for the environmental companies that perform them .... that is all.
I think I already addressed the tax break issue: if the City did not foster development, NYC would be impossible to live and work in. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving every night - on your knees - that NYC has these economic programs. It is not You vs. Them .... they are keeping your taxes down and the City growing. The problem is that you think short-term. These programs benefit the City long-term.
So weird that the blogger will no longer allow postings that contradict him. Please don't write that you welcome opinions if you don't. I submitted a post a couple of weeks ago that - mysteriously - never made it up. "Comment moderation" has been enabled indeed.
Post a Comment