TESTIMONY
Jack Bolinbach, Representative of the Coalition of Civic Associations, on Opposing Zoning Changes in Residential Areas
4:24:33
·
152 sec
Jack Bolinbach opposes zoning changes in residential areas on behalf of the Coalition of Civic Associations, highlighting potential negative impacts on Staten Island communities.
- Argues that residential zones are not appropriate for the proposed zoning changes, concurring with previous speakers
- Cautions that zoning changes could decrease property values, increase litter and noise, and create safety issues
- Emphasizes the importance of residential investments and objects to allowing commercial establishments in these neighborhoods
- Expresses worries about environmental effects and reduced quality of life, citing specific concerns in Staten Island
Jack Bolinbach
4:24:33
That's okay.
4:24:35
Yep.
4:24:35
From the coalition of Civic Associations?
4:24:38
Okay.
4:24:39
I'm from the coalition of Civic Associations, and we're around the different boroughs and particularly on Staten Island.
4:24:46
And we're a residential community, as Camilla Hanks mentioned.
4:24:51
And I want to thank the 2 representatives Vicky and Joan for what they said They're right on target.
4:24:57
Residential areas is not the place for this to be changed.
4:25:00
This zoning was back.
4:25:02
I think in 1961, most of the zoning that exists now.
4:25:05
There might be things in it that's worthwhile keeping for residential.
4:25:09
I think there should be.
4:25:11
As far as industrial, why do the changes have taken place There should be some modifications made.
4:25:17
So in that part, I might agree with that.
4:25:20
But as far as residential, it's definitely wrong to do this because a home is a person's most major investment.
4:25:27
You don't want to have your your property values decline.
4:25:31
You don't want the quality of life decline.
4:25:34
In particular, if you have this corner policy of putting stores on corners or near corners, what that's going to do is cause people to come in, save us a bagel shop, they'll be buying coffee, they'll be buying whatever, and they'll be throwing their garbage around.
4:25:51
That's gonna decrease quality of life in the neighborhood.
4:25:55
You'll have if you live near there, 10 o'clock at night, what used to be a nice quiet residential area, would be lit up with a store now, people driving in and out.
4:26:05
You'll be if there's garbage on the street, you'll be drawing rats, I I volunteer with several organizations on Staten Island for street cleanups.
4:26:14
And I could tell you around Bodegos, Bago shops, People were were people Paul caused to catch Express Post.
4:26:22
There's a lot of garbage.
4:26:23
If you start incorporating stores, corner stores, in residential neighborhoods, you're going to decrease the value of life in those neighborhoods.
4:26:32
It's going to be unsafe for the children, and I'll give you an example.
4:26:35
About enforcement on Staten Island as a place called Routes of Peace Garden in Tallgy Street.
4:26:41
It's an environmental justice neighborhood.
4:26:43
And somebody is somebody who's working on their their automobile body shop work and the smell of the fumes is throughout that neighborhood and children live there.
4:26:53
So you have to consider quality of life.
4:26:56
You have to consider Oh, man.
4:26:59
I have to consider the quality of life and what this can do to residential neighborhoods.
4:27:02
It's a bad idea for residential neighborhoods.
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Ronda Wist, Board Member of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, on the City of Yes Initiative's Potential Impact on Residential Areas
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Charlene Jackson Mendez, Bronx Resident, on the 'City of Yes' Economic Development Plan's Impact on Local Communities