PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Diane Viggiano, Vice President of Old Town Civic Association of Staten Island
7:03:44
·
109 sec
Diane Viggiano, representing the Old Town Civic Association of Staten Island, strongly opposes the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (CHO) proposal. She argues that the plan is overly simplistic and destructive, failing to account for the diverse characteristics of different neighborhoods.
- Criticizes the plan for potentially harming quality of life in many parts of the city
- Urges council members to vote against the proposal, citing concerns about overdevelopment, removal of zoning and parking protections, and addition of living spaces in attics, basements, and garages
- Opposes the reduction of citizen, community board, and city council member power in deciding what's best for their communities
Diane Viggiano
7:03:44
Can you hear me?
7:03:45
Oh, terrific.
7:03:46
So first of all, good afternoon, everyone.
7:03:49
I'm Diane Vigiano, a vice president of the Old Town Civic Association of Staten Island.
7:03:55
We are a densely populated area, and I would like to speak for many of the residents of my community, which was estimated to be about 12,250 people.
7:04:08
This is a very primitive plan.
7:04:11
It's as if the city planning commission used a black crayon on its paper when planning for the diverse communities in our city.
7:04:20
No colors.
7:04:22
No appreciation of the different characteristics of each neighborhood in each barrel.
7:04:28
It is a a simplistic, destructive plan that will greatly harm the quality of life in many parts of our city.
7:04:37
Council members, will you be a rubber stamp for selfish entities who want to over develop our neighborhoods?
7:04:46
Vote no to this environmentally absurd plan, which would build cottages in backyards.
7:04:53
And five story buildings without any parking requirements in suburban neighborhoods with 1 and 2 family homes.
7:05:02
Vote no to removal of zoning and parking protections.
7:05:09
Vote no to the unbridled edition of attic basement and garage living spaces.
7:05:15
Vote no to undermining the power of citizens, community boards, and city council members.
7:05:22
To decide what is best for their communities.
7:05:26
Please vote no to this one size fits all preposterous plan.
7:05:32
Thank you very much.
