BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
The low-density enclaves
of one to three family homes
have become prime targets
for absentee landlord investors.
The result is escalations
of uninvited and illegal
“plus ones.” Simply, the one
family becomes two, two becomes
three and so on. This
dynamic increases neighborhood
density, placing the
neighborhood’s design, infrastructure
and quality of life
under immense stress and
strain.
Fortunately, many absentee
landlords maintain
their investment properties,
comply with rules and do
not blight our neighborhood.
However, the number of negligent
absentee landlords
has steadily risen. These neglected
properties are often
unkempt eyesores, sources
of nuisance issues including
after-hours noise complaints.
These untenable situations
disrupt the quality of life for
many emotionally and fi nancially
invested area residents.
Application of “T Zone “ theory
to a community suggests
once neglected, nuisanceladen
property can affect dozens
of families through quality
of life issues and property
devaluations.
As NYC law states, owners
of private residential one to
two family dwellings where
neither the owner nor the
owners’ immediate family
resides must annually register
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their properties with Department
of Housing Preservation
and Development
(HPD). This registration is
easily done online for a $13
fee. Examination of multiple
neglected absentee landlord
properties in our footprint
revealed these specifi c property
owners are in violation
of numerous NYC laws including
HPD regulations.
Our low-density communities
require protections
through legislation, policy
amendments, and enforcements
of existing laws. The
current path of resolution
through 311 for nuisance/
noise complaints, health department
issues, or certifi -
cate of occupancy violations
is a frequent dead end. For the
past eighteen months our association
has unsuccessfully
sought help from our entire
body of local elected offi cials.
This begs a question for our
local elected offi cials: Why
are our continuous heartfelt
pleas falling on deaf ears?
To quote the fi ctional, nerdy
economics professor played
by Ben Stein in the cult classic
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,”
“anyone, anyone”… have an
answer? We patiently await
response.
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a “we are
family” attitude. Communicate;
make that phone call,
text message, or email. Please
check on family, friends and
neighbors especially the elderly
and vulnerable. Any
area homeowner or renter interested
in membership to the
Spencer Estate Civic Association
inbox George Havranek
on Facebook or send email to
spencerestatecivic@gmail.
com.
Community = common
unity. Remember: “Inclusion
brings solutions.”
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
BY THE EAST BRONX
HISTORY FORUM
The Huntington Free Library
and Reading Room
is pleased to announce The
East Bronx History Forum
will hold its 148th meeting
on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 8
p.m. As with the start of our
17th season last month, it
will be a ZOOM meeting until
the end of the year.
We will be celebrating
the 100th anniversary
of the passing of the 19th
Amendment, guaranteeing
and protecting women’s
constitutional right to vote.
Tennessee became the last
state needed to ratify the
19th Amendment on Aug.
18, 1920. Secretary of State
Bainbridge Colby issued a
proclamation declaring the
19th Amendment ratifi ed
and part of the US Constitution
on Aug. 26, 1920, forever
protecting American women’s
right to vote.
Thomas X. Casey, author
of The Northwest Bronx
and Bronx Views will provide
a PowerPoint presentation
about the woman from
the Bronx who led the suffrage
movement. Many were
famous and have their fi nal
resting place in Woodlawn
Cemetery, while others lived
locally in the Bronx
The lecture is limited to the
fi rst 100 members and friends
that log onto our Zoom meeting.
On a fi rst come basis. The
East Bronx History Forum
will post the login details on
our web page at BronxNYC.
com.
R e m e m -
ber, we will
meet on-line, 8
p.m., Wednesday
Oct. 21.
CIVIC CENTER
The East Bronx
History Forum
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