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The following is a summary of the items presented at the monthly Community Board 12 General Meeting at the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center on Tues., Sept. 27th.
CB 12 passes resolution in support of muni-meters
Following the lead of the Traffic and Transportation Committee, CB12 voted to support the installation of commercial muni-meters along the east side of West 165th Street and the south side of West 168th Street between Broadway and Ft. Washington Avenue in Washington Heights.
Citing that current conditions along Ft. Washington Avenue near the hospital involve consistently high traffic volume, pedestrians, and bicycles that create an overall dangerous traffic pattern, the board voted in support of converting the spaces into commercial muni-meters. These spaces will be used exclusively by delivery trucks during the day hours between 8 am and 5 pm.
Due to community concern regarding the parking spaces, there will be a six-month trial period to review of the effects of the new commercial muni-meters, the rate of double parking, and the diminished parking spots for residents and employees of NYPH.
CB12 votes in support of street changes for Riverside Drive and West 181st Street
The stretch along Riverside Drive north of West 181 Street will soon be turned into a two-way traffic street and shared bicycle street lane traveling south towards West 181st Street connecting Riverside Drive and the Greenway path along the Hudson River.
During a presentation by the Department of Transportation during the Traffic and Transportation committee meeting last month, members voted to support the re-routing of the street, hoping it will help to safely accommodate vehicle operators and cyclists who frequently use the street to access the entrance to the Greenway.
Some residents voiced concern and opposition to losing eleven parking spots in an area where parking is already scarce. However, the majority of the residents present considered the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles as most important.
Commanding Officers report on new anti-truancy measures and uptick in electronic theft
Commanding Officers of the 33rd and 34th Precincts in Northern Manhattan briefed the board and residents in attendance about recent activities within both precincts.
Representing the 33rd Precinct, Commanding Officer Mullen said that truancy officers have been deployed to cover the areas around neighborhood schools in the mornings and even later in the day in the afternoons, as the school day wraps up, as an added precaution.
Commanding Officer for the 34th Precinct, Barry Buzzetti, asked parents to warn their children about the truancy officers and the consequences of skipping schools. Buzzetti also cited an uptick in theft of electronics, particularly cell phones and iPods, adding that both perpetrators and victims were usually juveniles.
“We are hoping to meet with school principals and the schools to start making our kids aware of the truancy officers, so if they’re ever stopped on the street they know what’s happening,” said Buzetti.
CB12 passes resolution opposing Quadriad Project
After seven months of presentations, committee meetings, and the reworking of building plans, Quadriad Realty Partners, the private developer seeking to build four skyscraper residential buildings on the corner of West 190th and Broadway did not receive support from members of Community Board 12.
A drafted resolution by the Land Use Committee, asking the Department of City Planning to consider specific community concerns before it enters the application review process with the developers, was passed unanimously.
Quadriad’s plan to build what they’re calling the Fort-Tryon center includes three different plans for two or four buildings anywhere from 23 to 40 stories tall.
In its resolution, CB12 says that it is “opposing Quadriad Realty Partners’ Tryon Center project as it is currently proposed for development,” and outlines eleven recommendation points.
Among the recommendations is a request for Quadriad to reduce the overall density of the project; to use Washington Heights and Inwood household income data to determine affordable rent rates; to create more family sized units with at least half being two bedroom units or more; and to change the overall housing plan so that half of the project is made up of affordable housing units.
During a brief presentation, Quadriad Chairman Henry Wollman presented the site’s current plan for affordable housing, which would price studio apartments ranging from $367- $1,100, one bedrooms from $504-$1,513, two bedrooms from $665-$1,994, and three bedrooms from $900-$2,700, stating that these figures were based on “current market rates.”
If the developers cannot come to an agreement with the community, they plan to build the building as an ‘as-of-right project’ that would not provide any affordable housing units.
Speaking on behalf of local residents of the area, Rita Gorman said that so far, over 300 signatures had been collected in a period of nine days in a petition opposing the project. “This has been a wake up call for our neighborhood, and we cannot allow this massive project to happen in our neighborhood,” said Gorman.
Quadriad Realty Partners is slated to go ahead with its application with City Planning. If City Planning certifies the plans, the Community Board will then have 60 days to voice a final opinion before it reaches the desk of the Manhattan Borough President and City Council.
During his presentation, Wollman said they are willing to attend more meetings and presentations to work with the community and reach an agreement.
“We are prepared for discourse and compromise with the community,” he said.
CB12 rejects 11 alcohol licenses, supports 10
CB12 members followed the lead of their Economic Development Committee and gave the green light for on-premise liquor licenses to La Villita One Mexican Restaurant, Dragon Lounge, Rio New York, and El Imperio Cubano.
CB 12 also supported the renewal and new wine licenses to Ft. Tryon Café & Grill, El Viejo Jobo, Cabana Salvadoreña, Jimmy Oro, La Estufa, and That’s Amore Pizza.
Also following the lead of the economic development committee, CB12 opposed liquor or wine licenses for Bleu Evolution Bar and Restaurant, Los Compadres, On the 5th Social Club, La Cerveceria, Aero Lounge, Outside Looking in Restaurant and Lounge, and International Group, Rageely Restaurant, Villa’s Lounge Corp., Blue Sugar Corp., and La Ceniza.
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