PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Kaess, Resident of Morris Park, on Bronx Metro North Neighborhood Plan
3:56:31
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104 sec
Michael Kaess, a resident of Morris Park, testifies in support of the Bronx Metro North Neighborhood Plan. He emphasizes the need for increased housing options in the East Bronx and urges the city council to pass the plan without reducing density or height restrictions.
- Shares a personal anecdote about a friend forced to move away due to lack of housing options
- Highlights the plan as a multi-billion dollar transportation investment and opportunity for the community
- Stresses the importance of affordable housing for workers in the growing job center of Morris Park
- Advocates for eliminating residential parking mandates and making necessary investments to support the plan
Michael Kaess
3:56:31
Hi.
3:56:32
My name is Michael Cass, and I'm a resident in Morris Park.
3:56:35
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
3:56:38
3 weeks ago, I learned that a good friend of mine moved away from warriors parking out of the Bronx because they couldn't find their own place.
3:56:44
They weren't eager to leave the neighborhood they grew up in, but this is the choice they were forced to make because of a lack of options.
3:56:51
And it is the consequence of ill conceived planning choices made 20 years ago when we were still kids, which cut down on new housing options in the East Bronx.
3:56:59
But today, with the Bronx Metro North Neighborhood Plan and with the city of yes, we have a chance to make the right choice so that in the next 20 years, when my kids look for their own place, they can stay in the neighborhood they grew up in.
3:57:11
After 6 years of public engagement, the Bronx Metro North neighborhood plan already represents a thoughtful compromise and the estimated 75100 homes must be our floor.
3:57:20
The Bronx metro North project is a multi $1, 000, 000, 000 transportation investment in our community.
3:57:26
And any modification which reduces the overall density of the plan could squander a once in a lifetime opportunity.
3:57:32
Moores Park is a major and growing job center, but the neighborhood is already out of reach for people who work there today.
3:57:38
During Speaker Adams 2024 state of the city program, we saw the story of doctor Luiza Aguilar 3rd year Jacoby resident who has to commute home to Queens after 12 hour shifts because he couldn't find housing in our community.
3:57:49
Council member Marmarado frequently reminds us that she bought her home in Morris park because of the Metro North.
3:57:55
So I urge Mara Marauder not to shut the door behind her, but rather to open the door for the thousands of families who deserve the same opportunity to live in our community and use the station.
3:58:04
I urge the city council to pass this plan without any height or density reductions and with all of its provisions, including the elimination of the residential parking mandate, we can make the investments to make it work.
3:58:15
Thank you.