WARY OF DEVELOPMENT Speaking on behalf of the property owner, engineer Moshe Friedman stated the site previously had a restaurant and a two-family dwelling before being demolished years ago. Previous efforts to build a six-family apartment building on the site were thwarted, but Friedman noted the owner cannot redevelop it for industry or manufacturing. The Decatur Street property is located within the “South of Myrtle Avenue (SOMA)” Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) recently created by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, according to Ted Renz, executive director of the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation. The IBZ aims to preserve industries in the zone while also attracting new businesses to the area. Since the property is in the SOMA district, he noted, under IBZ rules “no residential development is permitted” and the application TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 • 6 The hearing focused on a Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) variance application to allow for the construction of a three-story residential building with a penthouse apartment at 1504-1506 Decatur St., a 25’ x 90’ lot currently zoned for manufacturing purposes. by Robert Pozarycki Plans to develop housing on an industrial Ridgewood site were blasted during a Community Board 5 public hearing held at the advisory body’s meeting last Wednesday, May 14, at Middle Village’s Christ the King Regional High School. -SEE BOARD 5 ON PG. 30- R’wood Housing Plan Blasted City Council Bill Punishes Most Negligent Landlords Mandates More Building Repairs by Noah Zuss Legislation to preserve affordable housing units and increase penalties for negligent landlords was introduced in the City Council following a rally and press conference on the steps of City Hall last Wednesday, May 14. If enacted, the Quality Housing Act—supported by City Council Member Antonio Reynoso—will assist Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal of preserving 120,000 affordable units across New York City’s five boroughs. The legislation would strengthen enforcement of the housing maintenance code and stiffen penalties for landlords that violate the law.“ In gentrifying areas like Bushwick, Brooklyn, landlords are increasingly turning to tactics of disinvestment in their properties to displace rent-stabilized tenants from their homes,” Reynoso said. Legislation on the state level has already been introduced by State Sen. Martin Malave Dilan that would make sabotage of regulated rentals a crime in New York State. Introduced last month, S.6941 would increase tenant protections by making the crime of landlord sabotage of rent -SEE HOUSING ON PG. 54- Maspeth Scouts Clean Elmhurst Graffiti Members of the St. Stanislaus Church Girl Scouts traveled to Elmhurst last Saturday morning, May 18, to paint over graffiti from a Grand Avenue structure. Gary Giordano, Community Board 5 district manager who is active with St. Stanislaus parish, joined parents and scouts for the cleanup. Also pictured are troop leaders Allyson Conte, Debbie Sanchez and Debbie Studley. (photo: Chris Bishop)
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