PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Edwin Westley, Board Member of Queens Community Board 3
7:27:57
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126 sec
Edwin Westley, a board member of Queens Community Board 3 and past president of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, testifies in opposition to Mayor Adams' City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (CHO) plan. He highlights the widespread disapproval among Queens community boards and criticizes the borough president's conditional support.
- Westley expresses concerns about the plan allowing apartment buildings in single-family home areas without parking requirements.
- He mentions the potential for widespread garage and basement conversions under the new rules.
- Westley points out that while historic districts may be protected, areas outside them could see significant changes, particularly targeting one-story buildings for redevelopment.
Edwin Westley
7:27:57
Thank you very much, Mister Speaker.
7:28:00
My name is Ed Wesley.
7:28:01
I'm past president of the Jackson Heights beautification group and a 20 plus member of the community board 3.
7:28:09
I am here today to give testimony in opposition to mayor Adams plant.
7:28:15
Most of the queen's community boards in a vote of 12 to out of 14 recommended a no vote.
7:28:26
Unfortunately, our bureau president was not paying attention to the people.
7:28:34
He supports the plan with conditions.
7:28:38
Anybody that sat on a community board realizes that We know that conditions are meaningless, especially when the city council approves this or disapproves it.
7:28:50
So I'm surprised he made it with conditions.
7:28:56
It would permit building apartment houses where single family homes are now without any requirements for parking.
7:29:04
And it would also permit widespread garage and basement conversions undercover of the law.
7:29:14
I'm work I it seems that the the new rules will will not trump pardon me profanity.
7:29:25
Will not trump our covenants or our historic district.
7:29:32
Of course, the main focus target is the 1 story taxpayers.
7:29:36
It will be easier to buy your tenants out of their leases then build residential's build residential on top of the building.
7:29:46
They they will still have to go to the historic district council, the developer that is for aesthetic approval for LPC from LPC.
7:29:58
But outside it, anything goes.
7:30:02
Thank you.
