PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by William Scarborough, President of Addisleigh Park Civic Organization
6:19:12
·
133 sec
William Scarborough, president of the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization and former state assembly member, testifies in opposition to the City of Yes proposal. He argues that the plan would negatively impact Queens communities, particularly Addisleigh Park, by allowing accessory dwelling units and increasing density through transit-oriented development.
- Scarborough expresses concern about the elimination of parking requirements, which he believes would create problems in areas lacking public transportation.
- He highlights that Jamaica is already undergoing a massive rezoning project expected to create 12,000 new dwelling units.
- Scarborough urges the council to reject the plan, stating it would unfairly burden the community and overload infrastructure and streets.
William Scarborough
6:19:12
Good afternoon, council members.
6:19:14
My name is William Scarborough, and I'm the president of the ISLEEP Park Civic Organization in Jamaica Queens and a former state assembly member.
6:19:22
I'm testifying in opposition to the city of yes, because I believe this plan will be devastating to areas in Queen such as Ashley Park, which are 1 and 2 family home communities.
6:19:32
The proposal to allow accessory dwelling units will have a negative impact on the character of our community.
6:19:39
That negative impact is multiplied by the Transit oriented development initiative in this plan.
6:19:45
Southeast Queens is still designated as a transit visit due to the lack of sufficient public transportation However, because the Saint Albans Long Island Railroad Station is next to the Addison Park community, all of our community would be subject to having 3 to 5 study buildings constructed on our residential streets where they are currently 1 and 2 family homes.
6:20:07
On top of these impacts, the city of US eliminates the requirement to provide parking when building new homes.
6:20:13
In an area such as ours where affordable public transportation is lacking, residents depend upon their cars to get around.
6:20:21
This plan to eliminate parking requirements would create disastrous conditions on the residential streets of Addison Park and other Queen's communities.
6:20:30
The the combination of these initiatives would increase the density and change the character of our community in a very negative way, and it also exposes the dangers of trying to develop a cookie cutter citywide proposal that does not factor in what may already be happening in a community.
6:20:47
Jameka is already going undergoing a massive 300 block rezoning project called the Jamaican neighborhood plan.
6:20:54
As stated by city planning in June 2024, this plan is expected to create 12,000 new dwelling units in Jamaica.
6:21:01
And will create 7 to 9 story buildings along our major residential corridors.
6:21:07
To impose the density of the city of yes, in addition to the 12,000 new dwelling units already planned for our community is not as the mayor likes to say a little more housing in every community, but represent an unfair burden that would drastically overload our community, our infrastructure, and our streets.
6:21:23
We urge you to reject this plan.
6:21:24
Thank you.
Kevin C. Riley
6:21:25
Thank you.
