PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rebecca Poole, Director of Membership of The Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums, on Waste Containerization
2:14:43
·
140 sec
Rebecca Poole, representing The Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums, testified on the challenges faced by their member buildings regarding waste containerization initiatives. While supporting the city's efforts to improve quality of life, she expressed concerns about the negative impacts of proposed legislation on cooperatives and condominiums.
- Requested amendments to Intros 2775 and 2744 to include outreach and working groups with co-op and condo homeowners
- Highlighted issues such as lack of space for bins, fire exit blockages, and difficulties in obtaining waivers
- Opposed Intro 949 due to logistical uncertainties and potential public safety concerns
- Called for equal treatment of co-op and condo homeowners with single-family homeowners in terms of rights and privileges
Rebecca Poole
2:14:43
Thank you, chairs of Reu and Juan, for holding this important hearing about waste containerization.
2:14:49
We appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony.
2:14:52
The Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums is a membership organization that provides advocacy, information, and education for housing cooperatives and condominiums throughout New York City.
2:15:02
Over 170,000 New York families make their homes in cNYC member buildings.
2:15:07
We applaud the city council's determination to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers through containerization.
2:15:13
However, many of our member buildings will be significantly negatively impacted by intro 2744 and intro 949.
2:15:21
And our smaller member buildings have already been negatively affected by the implementation of containerization.
2:15:27
Their issues will not be addressed by intro 2775.
2:15:30
Many do not have room for the regulated bins.
2:15:33
Several have received confirmation that the new bins are blocking fire exits.
2:15:37
Waivers are not easily accessible.
2:15:40
Medium and large sized cooperatives and condominiums will also face granular issues with the location, installation, and use of permanent garbage structures.
2:15:48
We respectively request that intro 2775 and intro 2744 be amended to require outreach and the formation of working groups that include co op and condo homeowners, in order to provide feedback.
2:16:03
Most importantly, we ask you to reject the apparent inequity that exists between intro 2775 and intro 2744.
2:16:12
Like single family homeowners, cooperative shareholders and condominium unit owners are homeowners who pay real estate taxes for services.
2:16:20
We respectfully request that they be accorded the same rights and privileges as all other homeowners under the city's administrative code.
2:16:28
The cost of installing and maintaining the permanent bins to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers should come from the city's general fund and not from and not be paid for by co op and condo homeowners.
2:16:43
Lastly, we are opposed to intro 949.
2:16:46
Logistically, it is uncertain where dumpsters, where dumpsters of the specified size should be placed.
2:16:56
And given the dumpsters would reduce, visibility, it would impede public safety.
2:17:02
Thank you for the opportunity to
Shaun Abreu
2:17:03
discuss.
