PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Fanny Chang, Member of the Public
0:41:43
ยท
112 sec
Fanny Chang, a long-time user of the Van Dam Street exit, testifies against the proposed demapping and sale of public land adjacent to the exit. She argues that the proposal only benefits the applicant and does not serve the community's interests or environmental resilience.
- Chang criticizes the lack of transparency in the potential sale of the public land and suggests there should be a formal RFP issued by DOT.
- She highlights concerns about flooding in the area and proposes alternative solutions such as planting vegetation and improving drainage.
- As a parks department care captain, Chang offers to work with the applicant to clean up the area without selling the property.
Fanny Chang
0:41:43
Thank you.
0:41:44
Council, thank you for the opportunity to speak.
0:41:47
My name is Fanny Chang.
0:41:48
I have used the Van Damme exit for the last thirty five years to travel to my office.
0:41:53
JPB has applied to this change to use as a destination restaurant after twenty eight years.
0:41:59
JPB bought this property on 10/01/1998.
0:42:03
You could check this on Acris.
0:42:06
Number 1, city council has been implementing legislation to create a green in New York City.
0:42:12
This mapping action do not benefit the community or its resilience from climate change.
0:42:16
It only benefits applicant in acquiring 7682 square feet to increase his property value.
0:42:24
It is public land, and it should it does not benefit the community.
0:42:28
In the community board two meeting on October 2024, mister Levin, the applicant's attorney, stated the state and city has discussed the sale of this application.
0:42:40
This is not transparent or equitable.
0:42:42
There should be a formal RPF issued by DOT.
0:42:46
Number 2, Steven Barry stated the rainwater has been a big concern.
0:42:50
It overflows Van Damme Street and the ramp JPV solution is to have the city sell the adjacent property to them and install permeable tiles.
0:43:00
Applicant needs approval from the Park City Commissioner administrative code eighteen dash two one nine.
0:43:07
I am a care captain with the parks department.
0:43:09
I will be glad to work with mister Barry to clean up this area.
0:43:13
Thousands of cars and trucks go through this Van Damme Street thoroughfare every day.
0:43:17
There is a major problem with flooding in this area after a rainstorm.
0:43:21
The solution is not to sell the property.
0:43:23
It is to plant vegetation and store proper drainage to absorb the drain water.
0:43:27
Kindly vote against this to the mapping.
0:43:29
It only benefits the applicant.
0:43:31
It does not benefit the community.
0:43:33
Thank you for your time.