TIMES, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014 • 28 Silvercup West Development Gets Green Light From Board 2 originally voted to grant approval of the special permits for Silvercup West in 2006, and again in 2011. One permit would allow for a 1,400-space parking garage to be built. Another addressed the Silvercup sign atop a building in the area, visible from the Manhattan and Queens waterfronts. This recommendation urged using original materials instead of modern ones. The project is a planned $1 billion expansion of the existing film studio and development site situated near the Ed Koch- Queensboro Bridge. Board 2 additionally adopted a resolution urging developers to include 20 percent affordable housing at the site, which altered an earlier recommendation that asked for 10 percent. Silvercup West, when complete will include eight new soundstage studios as a part of a the 2.2 million-square-foot complex containing an office tower, retail space, a catering hall and cultural space. Asking for more housing Board 2 Chairperson Joe Pedestrian Safety Near Midville Campus Tops CB 5 Transit Committees Meet DOT for a traffic study at the campus exit at Metropolitan Avenue. Board 5 Chairman Vincent Arcuri also asked Michel to formally outline the safety issues at the school. Arcuri also suggested that a volunteer be stationed near the driveway in question with a counter to obtain a more approximate number of students and pedestrians utilizing that stretch of sidewalk. Shelter concerns Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano voiced concerns over traffic safety surrounding the proposed homeless shelter site at 78-16 Cooper Ave. in Glendale. In a letter to Derek Lee, the Queens borough commissioner of the Department of Buildings, Giordano placed a formal request for a professional traffic study at the site. Giordano cited concerns over the increased volume of traffic emerging from the Cooper Avenue underpass, as well safety issues regarding the many driveways, exits and entrances at the site itself. “The Cooper Avenue sidewalk in front of this address is very narrow,” Giordano said, “and plans to house more than 100 families at this factory location would present very dangerous conditions for residents." Giordano asked Lee to request the traffic study from the property owner prior to moving forward with “questionable plans to convert this factory to residential use.” Freight rail Committee members also weighed in on local freight rail issues, including the influx of waste and trash hauled from Long Island through the area on the LIRR tracks to Fresh Pond Yard. Nearby residents have long voiced outrage over rail noise and vibrations from increased rail traffic, as well as public health concerns over waste and contaminants hauled through the community. Committee members explained that John Maier, cochair of the Public Transit Committee, would be working with Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions (CURES) on a “matrix presentation” for Albany lawmakers. Topics included in the proposed presentation are the overhaul of freight yards, public safety, noise reduction measures and a request for mandatory sealed shipping containers to protect the public and surrounding land from possible contaminated waste. Capital projects Committee members also discussed the progress of various local capital projects in the area, including the upcoming sewer line replacement on 74th Street in Middle Village. The project would span the length of 74th Street from Juniper Boulevard South to Juniper Valley Road, crossing over Penelope Avenue. The members weighed issues surrounding the project, including concerns over the temporary loss of parking spaces, parking restrictions, access to private driveways and the possible storage of construction vehicles and equipment on local streets surrounding Juniper Valley Park. Arcuri was in favor of extending to the designer or project manager an invitation to speak at an upcoming Board 5 meeting in the hopes of clearing up traffic and parking concerns. Another capital project drawing concern is the much-needed sewer line reconstruction beneath the bridge carrying Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road above the Long Island Rail Road on the Ridgewood/Middle Village border. According to committee members, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is calling for a revision of the sewer lines under the bridge. Part of the plan calls for the lowering or modification of existing LIRR tracks so that the DEP could successfully change the shape and aspect of the sewer line. Committee members also voiced concerns over funding for the project. According to members, the LIRR did not consult Board 5 or the DOT before rebuilding the retaining wall and sidewalk at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road. Because the LIRR did not go through the proper channels prior to this refurbishment, they may have, according to board members, jeopardized the hope of receiving capital funds for the sewer line project. Another area of concern involving the intersection is the installation of the mural surrounding the derelict Mobil gas station on the north side of Metropolitan Avenue. Some committee members explained that it was a “public art project” while others were concerned that it could potentially encourage illegal acts of vandalism or graffiti. O ther traffic issues Members approved a request for a traffic light at the intersection of Seneca and DeKalb avenues in Ridgewood. The intersection is currently a four-way stop, however increased traffic from buses and pedestrians stemming from new construction near St. Aloysius prompted the board to approve the request for a signal. The committees approved requests for speed bumps in the area on blocks plagued by speeders and increased traffic. Committee members denied a request that 64th Lane in Glendale be converted to an eastbound one-way street amid concerns that such a change could possibly “land lock” residents. Instead, the committee voted to install speed bumps as a possible solution to help curb reckless drivers. Other Glendale blocks requesting speed bumps include both 68th and 69th streets near Central Avenue. Residents of those blocks are concerned about vehicles speeding past a school crossing, as well as cars racing to make the green light on Central Avenue. Members agreed to contact the DOT regarding a previously denied 2012 request to convert Mazeau St. in Maspeth to a oneway street southbound between Grand Avenue and the LIE. The next Community Board 5 Transportation and Public Transit committees meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Board 5 office, located at 61- 23 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale. For more information, call 1-718- 366-1834. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- Conley suggested that the advisory body send a letter to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz urging a feasibility study be conducted to determine if housing can be developed on the Sunnyside Yards, beginning in the southwest corner by the Arch Street freight yards. Conley made the suggestion after having to turn people away from a forum earlier in the same week that gave residents details on affordable apartments at the Hunter Point South housing development, slated to begin welcoming tenants early next year. The board need to explore all areas where housing can be built, stay ahead of the development curve in western Queens and do its best to include affordable units, he explained. “It’s really just saying take a look at it,” Conley said. “But at least it starts the dialogue.” He wants to use the same model that lead to the Hunters Point Development, he said. Though the study would be an initial step, there are many factors to consider before attempting to build any housing development on the site, including the inclusion and current state of vital services like fire and police. Conley also noted the importance of studying existing civic facilities to ensure ample schools, hospitals, medical facilities and community centers. “There’s a lot to look at,” he said. Conley added that he realizes another large development could strain current transportation routes, and would not want to overextend police and fire services. During the debate over the idea, Moitri Chowdhury Savard of Long Island City said, “I’m not against development, but can we finish looking at what we’ve already done before starting something new.” After several questions addressing the surrounding issues that would need to be tackled, a vote to send the letter to Katz was recommended by the board. “There’s already about two acres of developable land near the Arch Street Yards,” Penny Lee, Board 2 member and senior planner at the Queens Borough Office of the Department of City planning said. She also noted that the owners of the land, the Long Island Rail Road has the first right of refusal to develop the land, and they could issue a Request For Proposals to develop parts of the site. Back to the yards Long Island City resident Lise Laurent urged that a compromise be reached concerning the use of rear yards at bars and restaurants along Vernon Boulevard. “Everybody probably already knows why I’m here,” Laurent said as she walked to the microphone. “I’m here to ask for some kind of track we can take. I’ve noticed a lot of people leave the neighborhood because that’s what they want in the spring and summer or fall.” This issue flared up several times over the last couple months as some in the Board 2 area, like Laurent, want these establishments to be allowed to serve customers in their rear yards, while other residents have supported no changes, claiming the noise, smoke and food smells would be too much of a burden. “A compromise should be able to be reached,” she said. “These businesses are here, they want to use their backyards.” Board 2 member Kenneth Greenberg of Long Island City asked Laurent if she had any ideas, or could present a plan for how any potential conflicts between customers and residents would be resolved, should one arise. “It seems like you are siding with the businesses,” he said. “First of all, I am siding with myself,” Laurent replied. She reiterated it would be nice to enjoy some food or a drink in a rear yard, claiming hours of operation are not the problem. Board 2 member Regina Shanley of Woodside suggested she attend a future Board 2 City Services and Public Safety Committee meeting to voice her opinion and to hear first hand the debates that have taken place there. Laurent said she has attended previously, and did miss the most recent meeting, but plans to return. Community Board 2 meets on the first Thursday of each month at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th St. Regular board meetings begin at 7 p.m. For more information call the Board 2 offices at 1-718-533- 8773. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- LLEETT OOUURR CCLLAASSSSIIFFIIEEDD SSEECCTTIIOONN WWOORRKK FFOORR YYOOUU!! CCAALLLL 11--771188--882211--77550000
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