TESTIMONY
Barbara McManara, Co-President of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association on Opposition to the 'City of Yes' Text Amendment
5:27:02
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97 sec
Barbara McManara, Co-President of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association, voices strong opposition to the 'City of Yes' text amendment on behalf of her community.
- McManara outlines the association's stance against the amendment, highlighting the community's residential nature, consisting primarily of single-family homes.
- She raises concerns about the amendment's potential to disrupt the area's suburban feel and introduce unwanted businesses.
- The testimony emphasizes the importance of preserving the area's generational continuity and community character.
- McManara urges council members to vote no on the amendment, reflecting their constituents' preferences.
Barbara McManara
5:27:02
Good afternoon.
5:27:03
Apologies.
5:27:03
My camera's not working.
5:27:05
My name is Barbara McManara.
5:27:07
I'm the co president the Howard Beach Linton with Civic Association.
5:27:11
We're in Council District 32.
5:27:13
Our members have been vehemently against the city of yes, text amendment.
5:27:16
And have expressed to us that they are not in favor of the city council voting in the affirmative to this amendment.
5:27:23
We are primarily a residential area with one family homes peppered with some 2 families.
5:27:30
On our northern boundary, we have coops and condos, both garden apartments, and approximately 276 story high rise buildings.
5:27:38
We have a small commercial area on Cross Fayette Boulevard, which our residents are comfortable with.
5:27:43
Our name is bought here because of the tree lined streets, the feel of suburbia, while being close to everything the rich cultural Manhattan has to offer.
5:27:51
Museums, theater, restaurants, all beaches, and Rockaway.
5:27:54
They did not buy here to have businesses opening next to their home where their children play and they enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
5:28:01
We are not a community that needs corner stores popping up throughout our neighborhood or any businesses for that matter.
5:28:07
Our community is made up of residents whose grandparents lived here than they were born and raised here, and now they're raising their children here.
5:28:14
We do not want to force them to move to NASA on Suffolk to keep that sense of community for their family.
5:28:20
This should not be a one size fits all, the community tax amendment.
5:28:25
I would be curious as to where the individuals who wrote the tax amendment live.
5:28:30
We would urge all the council members to really look at what your constituents want and vote on their behalf.
5:28:35
I urge you to vote no on this tax amendment.
5:28:38
Thank you for your time.
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Mark Anderson, President of the Westerly Improvement Society, on the Negative Impacts of Proposed Zoning Changes on Staten Island Residential Neighborhoods
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George Calderaro, Board Member of Six NYC Civic Organizations, on the 'City of Yes' Zoning Proposal's Negative Impact on NYC Communities