TESTIMONY
Gina Caliendo, Bronx Resident on the Proposed Changes to the City of Yes Proposition
5:51:18
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119 sec
Gina Caliendo, a Bronx resident, criticizes the proposed changes to the City of Yes proposition, arguing they will harm housing and quality of life.
- Caliendo believes the proposition will enable the conversion of residential spaces into commercial ones, exacerbating the housing crisis.
- She points out the lack of necessity for new commercial spaces given the abundance of empty storefronts, and questions the city's ability to regulate improper commercial activities in residential areas.
- Concerns include increased traffic, strain on infrastructure, noise pollution, and the inappropriate introduction of adult entertainment into residential areas due to relaxed regulations.
- Caliendo opposes replacing community board input with centralized city planning, citing the importance of taking into account individual community needs and advocating for local decision-making.
Gina Caliendo
5:51:18
Yes.
5:51:18
Yes.
5:51:18
Good afternoon.
5:51:19
My name is Gina Caliendo, and I'm a lifelong a lifelong Bronx resident.
5:51:25
I stay here to raise a family throughout the city's good times and bad times.
5:51:29
I am not in favor of most of the proposed changes to the city of yes proposition.
5:51:33
While well intentioned it misses the mark and creates opportunities to further damage housing and reduce quality of life, allowing commercial use within 100 feet of corners in Second Floor Apartments and increasing the size and scope of existing home businesses.
5:51:46
We'll encourage absentee landlords to convert housing to unofficial commercial space No matter what the intentions, this will effectively remove housing staff and create unsafe environments for neighbors by increasing traffic and the use of our already strained infrastructure.
5:51:59
There are already so many empty storefronts.
5:52:02
The need for new commercial space is really nonexistent.
5:52:05
We're unable to remove people who are illegally occupying homes, and we can shut down shops selling illegal marijuana.
5:52:11
How are we supposed to believe we'll be able to stop someone from inappropriately setting up a business in a home they aren't truly occupied?
5:52:18
Allowing commercialization of space that's residential is a dangerous path that will negatively impact on an already difficult quality of life in the city.
5:52:26
The changes to the nice mic regulations may sound small and simple, but in reality will result in dramatic impacts on quality of life in areas with small venues.
5:52:34
Crowd's literate noise will be increased, and the allowance for dancing as presented will absolutely allow the creep of adult entertainment into residential communities.
5:52:43
The city of yes also effectively replaces community board input with centralized city planning approval.
5:52:48
As eloquently stated by Councilwoman Hanks, Paladino, and my own councilwoman, Christy Marmirato, individual community needs are different.
5:52:56
We are not all Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn.
5:52:58
The city of Yas as set up should be called the city of rubber stamp.
5:53:01
This is essentially eliminating any input, putting all decisions in the power of unelected city planners and act Let us instead be the city of what's best for our residents to put power in the hands of local community boards and elected council members.
5:53:15
Thank you for allowing me to speak.
