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TESTIMONY

Roger Gendron, President of New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, on coastal flooding concerns in City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal

5:32:11

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3 min

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Roger Gendron, representing the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, expresses strong opposition to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity text amendment due to inadequate consideration of coastal flooding risks. He emphasizes the current and future threats of sea level rise and flooding to New York City's coastal communities, including Hamilton Beach and Howard Beach.

Highlights that sea level in New York City could rise by 8-30 inches by 2050 and 15-75 inches by the end of the century, putting over a million residents at risk.
Argues that the proposal does not provide adequate safeguards for flood mitigation and could increase costs and displacement risks during extreme weather events.
Urges the City Planning Commission to recognize all coastal communities as Special Coastal Risk Districts, similar to existing designations for Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, and East Shore buyout areas in Staten Island.

Concerns about coastal flooding and sea level rise in low-lying areas of New York City
Potential increase in flood mitigation costs and insurance
Risk of displacement during extreme weather events
Inadequate safeguards in the City of Yes proposal to mitigate flooding risks
Challenges for emergency responders during flooding events
Request for recognition of all coastal communities as Special Coastal Risk Districts
Specific flooding concerns for Hamilton Beach and Howard Beach communities

[EXPERIMENTAL]

Which elements of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity were discussed in this testimony?

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Roger Gendron

5:32:11

Good afternoon, everyone.

Dan Garodnick

5:32:13

Good afternoon.

Roger Gendron

5:32:14

My name is Roger Gendron.

5:32:16

I'm the president of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association.

5:32:19

Testifying today, to express how strong our position, the city of yes for housing opportunity, text amendment.

5:32:26

While we understand and appreciate the need, Frankie, for increased housing opportunities in our city.

5:32:32

We cannot support this plan without addressing the critical issue of coastal flooding that our community along with many other communities throughout New York has and will continue to experience.

5:32:43

The threat of coastal flooding is not a distant concern but a present reality.

5:32:47

New York City's low lying areas are already exposed to flooding by full of new Moon tides, as well as coastal surge from tropical storms in Norhesives.

5:32:57

The sea level rise in New York City could rise between 8:30 inches by 2050.

5:33:01

And as much as 15 to 75 inches by the end of the century.

5:33:05

This puts over a million residents at risk, a number that could increase to 2.2 as sea levels continue to rise.

5:33:13

Including these areas in the proposal could lead to increased cost for flood mitigation and insurance as well as potential for displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents during extreme weather events.

5:33:24

The devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy is a stark reminder above vulnerability.

5:33:29

City of yes text amendment does not fully grasp the severity of the flooding issues that coastal neighborhoods by Hamilton Beach and now would be experienced on a monthly basis.

5:33:39

No does provide adequate safeguards to mitigate these risks.

5:33:43

The resilience and safety of our residents must be the paramount consideration in any development strategy.

5:33:49

It's imperative that unique needs of coastal communities are not only recognized but are also at the forefront of city planning policies.

5:33:57

The city of this text amendments currently stands as not meet this criteria.

5:34:01

I would only place more residents in harm's way.

5:34:04

Residents and emergency first responders already face increasingly challenging conditions when roadways are inundated with flooding during storm events.

5:34:13

Standard emergency vehicles, which are already having trouble navigate on our streets, have difficulty reaching residents during that time.

5:34:21

While Hamilton Beach is already recognized as a special coastal risk district, A designation that underscores the acute challenges.

5:34:28

We contend we confront with respect to flooding and climate related events the entire Howard Beach community faces that same risk.

5:34:36

In Old Howard Beach, the business district of what we call town stretches from 160 Avenue and 102 Street to 158 Avenue 1 on 1 Street, including Coleman Square, but they Howard Beach JFK.

5:34:47

Our train station is located.

5:34:49

And our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church also falls within those boundaries.

5:34:53

Our Cross Bay Boulevard corridor consists of many mom and pop stores and restaurants banks, chain pharmacies, and some national brand businesses as well.

5:35:02

Both of these areas are currently experience flooding.

5:35:05

And are inundated with several feet of water from Hurricane Sandy.

5:35:10

Therefore, we urge the prime municipality planning to recognize all coastal communities throughout New York.

5:35:15

City.

5:35:16

Hi.

5:35:16

Special principal risk interest.

5:35:18

Similar to Hamilton Beach Road Channel, and the East Show buyout areas in Staten Island.

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