TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014 • 24 Board 5 Nixes Rezoning Proposal For Industrial Ridgewood Site -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- demolished in 1971, a representative of the owner said at Board 5’s May 14 meeting. Reportedly, the owner claimed he could not profit from the site’s limited uses under the existing manufacturing zoning. “We felt in the end, that this lot was too small to build what is demanded for manufacturing,” Walter Sanchez, Board 5 Zoning and Land Use Committee chairperson, stated. “We felt it really is not setting a precedent. We felt this is an exception to that. We have no objection to developing a six family building on the site.” Following Sanchez’s committee report, Board 5 member Ted Renz presented a minority opinion against the variance. The site is within the South of Myrtle Avenue (SOMA) Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) recently created by the city, Renz pointed out. He feels a housing development is not the best use of the property. “Industrial Business Zones were created as a tool to prevent and not allow residential development in these M zoned areas, and this proposed lot for residential development is part of Ridgewood’s SOMA IBZ District and therefore, no residential development is permitted and it should therefore, be withdrawn for consideration for this type of development,” Renz stated. Renz’ report against the variance argued for the need to preserve the area for manufacturing. He believes manufacturing is vital to the area and provides dependable, middle-class incomes for employees. “These are exactly the kind of Survey To Gauge Options For Abandoned Rail Line Rockaway Beach branch. One such plan, called the QueensWay, would transform the line—now naturally reforested after over 50 years of inactivity—into a combined nature trail and bike path similar to Manhattan’s High Line Park. The Trust for Public Land received over $400,000 in state funds last year to conduct a feasibility study for the QueensWay, and proponents have held several public workshops and presentations on the plan in the last year. But during Tuesday’s announcement, Goldfeder appeared to take a dig at the QueensWay proposal and the fairness of its public review process. “While some groups are assessing the feasibility of the rail line using tax dollars and expensive consultants that will only result in one-sided studies, we are utilizing local expert resources and educating our students, all while supporting an objective study that will enormously benefit every Queens family,” said Goldfeder. As previously reported, he supports restoring public transportation to the Rockaway Beach branch. “The survey gives residents and businesses a chance to voice their opinions about the various redevelopment options for the Rockaway Beach branch right-ofway,” added Scott Larson, director and service learning coordinator of Queens College’s Urban Studies Department. “Our hope is to gather a representative sample from all the communities likely to be impacted by any redevelopment and to contribute to conversations about the potential benefits and possible negative impacts of each development option.” The questionnaire asks participants to describe their transportation needs and modes while also offering opinions on various ideas under consideration, potential costs and quality-of-life impacts on the surrounding community. The data gathered will be presented to community members once it is available, Goldfeder noted. Though he touted the survey’s independence, the assemblyman expressed confidence that participants will voice their desire to restore rail service to the line. “There are over 2.3 million local residents in Queens who would greatly benefit from the complete restoration of the Rockaway Beach rail line,” Goldfeder said. “I am confident that any objective study will conclude that a transportation option is the only real choice.” Formerly linked to the LIRR’s Main Line at the Whitepot Junction in Rego Park, the Rockaway Beach branch was taken out of service permanently in 1962. Part of the line in Ozone Park south of Rockaway Boulevard was incorporated into the subway system; the 3.2 mile remainder was left abandoned. Goldfeder and other residents in southern Queens and the Rockaways want transit service restored in some capacity on the branch, in part, to reduce commute times to and from Manhattan each day. Many residents living near the line, however, previously opposed any reactivation, fearing negative quality-of-life consequences associated with train activity. Some residents in Woodhaven, however, expressed a desire to leave the track untouched and unused, with exception to minimal maintenance. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- jobs we need to bridge the gap between New York’s Tale of Two Cities,” Renz said. “According to the New York State Department of Labor, the average annual wage fro a manufacturing worker is over $53,000 plus benefits compared to $36,000 for retail and $24,500 for food related service. In the report, Renz suggested the owner explore a mixed-use M-X zoning designation that would allow for manufacturing and housing in the same building. “This area may have further potential to think out of the box to explore potential for an M-X district which would mandate ground floor use (in this case the first and second floors) for manufacturing with affordable housing above,” he said. “Ridgewood has a long proud manufacturing history and that these jobs have historically been considered gateways to the middle class,” Renz said. Manufacturing businesses are being priced out of traditional industrial neighborhoods in NYC. This is due to economic pressure that makes it more profitable to convert industrial space to commercial and residential property uses.” After debating the issue, Board 5 voted down the committee recommendation and adopted the minority opinion as the position of Board 5. City Council Member Antonio Reynoso has informed Board 5 that he is concerned about allowing variances for housing development in IBZ’s. He is also wary of building residences in the vicinity of the Superfund site at the former Wolf- Alport chemical company. “I stand with Council Member Reynoso in opposition to this variance,” added Jean Tanler, a Board 5 member who is director of Industrial Business Development for the Maspeth Industrial Business Association. “The economy goes in cycles and we are on the upswing.” Letter on homeless shelter District Manager Gary Giordano informed the board of a letter he wrote and forwarded to Lisa Black, the assistant commissioner of government and community relations at the NYC Department of Homeless Services appraising her of a public hearing held on Thursday May, 22. In the letter Giordano outlines 15 points informing that Board 5 remains opposed to Samaritan Village’s use of a site on Cooper Avenue in Glendale as a transitional residence for homeless families. The board remains concerned the site is not appropriate due to possible contamination, because there isn’t direct bus service, a freight line sits behind the building. Questions also remain surrounding the organizations “inappropriate” expense of more than $900,000 in state contract funds from the office of the comptroller, according to the letter. Executive committee elections Board 5 held its executive committee elections last Wednesday night and re-elected Chairperson Vincent Arcuri, First Vice Chairperson Walter Sanchez, Second Vice Chairperson Dmytro Fedkowskyj, Treasurer Kathy Masi, and Secretary Margaret O’Kane to their positions, respectively. The board also re-appointed members -atlarge Pat Grayson, Fred Haller, John Maier and Ted Renz. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz came to Community Board 5’s monthly meeting Wednesday June, 11. She spoke on the importance of the boards, small business development and branding the borough. She is pictured with Board 5 Chair Vincent Arcuri, left, and District Manager Gary Giordano. (photo: Noah Zuss) Demolition notices Arcuri announced that demolition notices were submitted for two properties in Ridgewood; 335 and 337 St. Nicholas Ave. Liquor licenses The board also received the following liquor license applications: • New liquor licenses for Ridgewood Coffee and Liquor Co. Inc., d.b.a. Onderdonk & Sons, located at 566 Onderdonk Ave. in Ridgewood; Ron Reagan’s Leotard Inc., d.b.a. Bierleichen, located at 582 Seneca Ave. in Ridgewood; Popper’s Locarno LLC, d.b.a. Popper’s Locarno, located at 1563 Decatur St. in Ridgewood; and Ltauha Restaurant LLC, d.b.a. Ltauha Restaurant, located at 55-50 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood. • Liquor license renewals were submitted for Carom Corp., d.b.a. Arena Billboards & Cafe, located at 341 St. Nicholas Ave. in Ridgewood; Nostro Joes Inc., d.b.a. Joe’s Restaurant, located at 66-11 Forest Ave. in Ridgewood; and The Simply Dip Corp., d.b.a. Simply Fondue, located at 71-19 80th St. in Glendale. • New wine or beer licenses were submitted for Carla’s Diner Inc., d.b.a. J & R Jr’s Diner, located at 58- 16 59th St in Maspeth. Anyone wishing to comment on any of the applications may do so by calling Board 5’s office at the number listed below. The next Community Board 5 meeting will be held on July 9 at Christ the King High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., on the third floor in the CNL Room. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. For more information, call Board 5’s Glendale office at 1-718- 366-1834. Glendale Man Cuffed After Escape assist police in making an unrelated arrest at the corner of Cooper Avenue and 59th Street at about 6:55 p.m. Monday. While the detectives worked at the scene, McMenamin allegedly pulled a Houdini trick and maneuvered his cuffed hands from the back to the front, according to Capt. Christopher Manson, the 104th Precinct’s commander, who spoke about the incident at Tuesday night’s 104th Precinct Community Council meeting in Middle Village. Seconds later, Manson stated, McMenamin climbed into the driver’s seat, put the car in reverse and “floored it.” One of the detectives reportedly gave chase on foot and was struck and dragged by the police cruiser for several feet. The detective was hospitalized for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening, it was noted. Authorities said McMenamin then fled inside the vehicle and eventually ditched the ride several blocks away on Decatur Street near Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood, adjacent to the Ridgewood post office. According to Manson, McMenamin allegedly stole the other suspect’s cell phone and items which the detectives confiscated from them when they were arrested. McMenamin reportedly fled on foot in an unknown direction. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement sources stated, police located the ditched cruiser and the unidentified second suspect, who remained in the vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. Police launched a massive landand air search of Ridgewood and Glendale for McMenamin. Among the units that participated in the effort were the Patrol Borough Queens North Task Force Unit, the NYPD Emergency Services Unit, the K-9 Unit and the Aviation Unit. While the local search proved unsuccessful, detectives tracked the stolen cell phone to Manhattan. Following further investigation, officers located McMenamin at about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday as he slept in an apartment on St. James Place in the East Village. Police brought McMenamin back to the 104th Precinct’s Ridgewood stationhouse later that day, where he was booked on charges including second-degree attempted murder, grand larceny, tampering with evidence, escape, resisting arrest, criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance. McMenamin was scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court yesterday, June 18; arraignment information was not available at press time. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- Keep Your Eyes On The Road—Not Your Phone! Texting While Driving Is Dangerous & Illegal. Use A Hands-Free Phone Or Don’t Call While Driving! IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE! CALL 311 TO GET A REGISTRATION FORM
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