TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 • 52 Sanitation Representative Talks Trash At FOCA Meeting In Ridgewood -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- City Council Report Recommends Changes To Preserve & Build New Industry -CONTINUED FROM PG. 10- workforce—are employed in industrial or manufacturing jobs in the city. The average income for these positions in Brooklyn and Queens—about $51,000 annually—is more than twice the average salary of service sector jobs. Having these high-paying jobs is critical to New York City’s economic vitality, it was noted. The report cited a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis statistic indicating that every dollar in the final sale of manufactured goods generates $1.33 in additional output. After years of declining industry in New York City, the sector appears to be on the rebound. The report cited growth over the last 13 years in food and beverage manufacturing, wood and metal works and high-tech electronic manufacturing. Traditional industries such as chemical, paper and textile manufacturing, however, fell during the period. The city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) created the SOMA IBZ in Ridgewood, and others like it across the five boroughs, to foster manufacturing and industrial development in an area where such industries waned in recent years. While industries left Ridgewood, some property owners decided to leave their manufacturing-zoned lots fallow in the hope they would be rezoned for residential development; others allowed for their properties to be reused for as-of-right purposes such as nightclubs or storage facilities. The City Council report recommended that the city create “industrial employment districts” in IBZs and other areas where “there is a concentration of manufacturing and industrial activity.” Zoning regulations would be altered to protect established businesses while fostering development of new industries. This would include expanding the floor area ratio (FAR) of manufacturing lots, enabling companies to increase the size of their factories. The report also recommended “creative economy districts” consisting of areas with a diverse mix of industrial, manufacturing, commercial and residential spaces. These districts would aim to attract light industries such as technology, media, arts and design. New zoning rules would be implemented in these areas encouraging owners to develop their properties for industrial or manufacturing purposes and barring them from converting them into other uses. Finally, the city would also adopt special mixed-use zoning text allowing for buildings to house both light industry and residential units. In phone interviews with the Times Newsweekly, business leaders welcomed the City Council report as a “first step” toward preserving and growing the city’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. “I think it opens the discussion,” said Jean Tanler of the Maspeth Industrial Business Association (MIBA), which operates the Maspeth IBZ. “It’s very encouraging that the City Council is looking at how to better serve industrial and manufacturing businesses in New York City. ... I found the report very thoughtful.” “We’re glad the mixed use designation is finally being looked at,” added Ted Renz, executive director of the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation, a key proponent of the SOMA IBZ designation. “Whether it’s condominium or rental, we’ll see. But right now, there is no mechanism in place to allow residential above manufacturing.” Tanler, however, warned that mixed-use zoning should be placed where deemed appropriate and include regulations to ensure structures are not eventually fully converted into residential use. She noted that mixed-use zoning regulations placed in Long Island City failed to preserve industrial space, as property owners eventually converted them into more profitable residential uses. Still, “it might make sense in areas feeling real estate pressure and experiencing illegal conversions,” she added. Mixed-use condos Mixed-use zoning, in particular, presents a unique opportunity for Ridgewood, according to RLDC President Paul Kerzner. The organization is reportedly drafting a template for City Council Members Reynoso and Elizabeth Crowley on how to properly institute mixed zoning in manufacturing areas of their districts. Kerzner said the template would depict a five-story condominium, with the first and second floors reserved for industry and the upper three floors as residential apartments. Establishing industrial and residential condominiums in the mixed use district, he maintained, would be the most affordable way for companies and residents to remain in the city. “The reason why manufacturers leave is because of rising rents, and it’s the same thing on the residential end,” Kerzner said. “People are getting pushed out by higher rents. ... You make it a condominium so the industrial components in these buildings will be there for as long as they want to.” Kerzner hopes the templates would be presented to the City Planning Commission in consideration of adopting mixeduse zoning. overall public health in the long run. ‘Two streams’ of recycling Nison explained that the DSNY’s recycling program consists of “two streams.” Mixed paper makes up the first stream and includes individual sheets of paper, as well as heavier corrugated cardboard products, such as boxes. Paper recyclables can be placed in 32-gallon containers and labeled “mixed paper” on all sides. Residents were told they could also place paper recycling in clear plastic bags with a maximum weight of 60 pounds. He also warned that it is illegal to use cardboard boxes as curbside receptacles for paper recycling or trash. All cardboard and pizza boxes must be broken down, bundled up and secured with twine. Bundles of magazines, phone books and newspapers must be disposed of in the same manner. Nison explained that twine is preferred over masking tape because it breaks down easily during processing. Individual bundles of paper recycling cannot exceed a maximum of 18 inches high. Non-recyclable items include hardcover books, wax paper, padded envelopes and contaminated items such as dirty newspapers, napkins or heavily soiled pizza boxes. Metal items such as paper clips and staples are permitted, as they will be removed during processing. Glass, metal, plastic and aluminum waste makes up the other “stream” of the recycling program. According to the law, all food and beverage containers must be emptied and rinsed prior to disposal. Recyclable metal items include aluminum cans, wire hangers, tools, metal cookware and hardware, such as nuts and bolts. Reasonably clean pieces of aluminum foil and food containers can be recycled, as long as they are not heavily soiled. Bottles and jars make up the bulk of glass recyclables. All metal lids should be removed, and the bottles and jars emptied and rinsed. Nison warned that items such as broken windows, mirrors and light bulbs were not recyclable, and should be safely discarded during trash pick-ups in a cardboard box labeled “Caution- Broken Glass.” According to Nison, broken glass should never be disposed of in trash bags as they pose a safety hazard to sanitation workers. Residents could face fines and summonses if they dispose of these items improperly. Nison also explained some of the new laws regarding plastic recycling to residents. According to Nison, any hard, rigid plastic item can now be recycled. Clean yogurt cups, plastic hangers, plastic trays and laundry hampers are now all recyclable. Plastic bags and wrap, however, are not. Hazardous materials The DSNY representative also urged residents to use caution when disposing of dangerous or potentially hazardous items. Items such as regular alkaline batteries, for example, could be discarded in regular trash. It is, however, illegal to throw rechargeable and cell phone batteries into regular trash as they pose a combustible or fire hazard. According to Nison, retail stores like Radio Shack are required to take batteries back free of charge for proper recycling. Other hazardous items such as chemicals, expired medication, flammable liquids and poisonous cleansers can be disposed of at “SAFE” (Solvents, Automotives, Flammables and Electronics) events held throughout the city. Air conditioners and refrigerators, both of which contain harmful CFC gases, can be disposed of only after making an appointment with DSNY via 311 for proper tagging and curbside pick-up. For more information, Nison urged residents to call 311. Local issues Nison warned residents to be wary of the large metal clothing collection bins that have been populating local streets. “These clothing bins are illegal and most of them are for profit,” stated Nison. FOCA President Dieter Vey urged residents to contact 311 or Community Board 5 to report a bin. DSNY has teamed up with Housing Works to create the “RefashioNYC” Program, which sells gently used clothing in local Housing Works thrift stores. Nison also advocated for the revamped organics-recycling program, currently in its two-year pilot phase in parts of Ridgewood and Glendale. FOCA member and DSNY retiree Patricia Grayson also voiced her support of the program. As a former employee of the Bureau of Waste Prevention, Grayson recalled the city’s first attempt at an organics program nearly 29 years ago. “It’s a wonderful program and something we really need,” she explained. Residents also voiced frustration over the loss of public trash baskets on Fresh Pond Road. Many FOCA members recalled situations where trash from the avenue found its way onto their sidewalks, sometimes resulting in summonses for homeowners. The baskets were removed because some residents near Fresh Pond Road were illegally dumping household trash, creating an overflow of garbage at corners. Vey praised the efforts of the nonprofit Doe Fund in helping to keep the local streets clean, but reminded residents that they were responsible for the sidewalks in front of their homes. * * * The Farmers Oval Civic Association will not meet in December. Its next meeting is Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgewood Baptist Church, located at 64-13 Catalpa Ave., across from the 104th Precinct. Selling A Home Or Car? Renting An Apartment? Having A Yard Sale? Let The Times Newsweekly Classified Section Work For You! Call Us At 1-718-821-7500
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