REMARKS
Council Member Ariola introduces her district's environmental challenges
4:08:11
·
110 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola introduces her district, emphasizing its environmental vulnerability. She describes the western half of the Rockaway peninsula as fragile, with areas less than 5 feet above sea level and prone to flooding.
- Highlights the district's low elevation and flood-prone nature
- Mentions existing higher density areas like Rockaway Park and Lindenwood
- Notes that the district already has plans for over 12,000 new housing units
Joann Ariola
4:08:11
So I'm I have the western half of the very fragile peninsula cold rockaway.
4:08:18
And on the ocean side, we're less than 5 feet above sea level.
4:08:23
And on the Jamaica Bay side, we're 5 feet above sea level, waterfront community south of the Belpark Way, is less than 10 feet above sea level, and most of the rest of my district up to Forest Park is on flat ground.
4:08:36
Not much, but not all of my district is owned for 1 and 2 family homes.
4:08:41
There are much higher densities owning like in Rockaway Park, Rockaway Beach, Lindenwood, the area that I live in.
4:08:47
But city planning is promoting higher density development of any kind anywhere, especially in transit oriented developments or accessory dwelling units.
4:08:59
And this is really alphabet soup of destruction for District 32.
4:09:04
On the South Shore of Queens, Jamaica Bay, the Rockaway, Harvey, Joseph Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, These are areas that are prone, whether it's climate oriented or it is flooding from z level or it is inland flooding like we saw with Hurricane Ida.
4:09:22
My entire district suffers from flooding and at times fatalities.
4:09:28
And I noticed on the map that it shows very little development in my district, which is really not true because the peninsula has over 12 thousand units to be built, and that's without the city of yes.
4:09:39
And we have at least 3 large developments for the mainland in the QOL ready at DCP that would have affordable housing, senior housing, workforce housing, as well as veterans housing.
4:09:50
So I know that you say that it's not a one size fits all, but it 12 out of 14.
4:09:57
Community boards are our constituents and I don't agree with that.
4:10:01
So my questions for you are, how can you promote this hyperdevelopment program in a place with severe environmental issues like my district or other designated special districts without taking them into consideration or in areas like ozone Park, Woodhaven, and Glendale where there are smaller lots and and on in Howard Beach, as well.
