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Tony
Avella Little Neck Pines Association I
am writing to enlist your support for a number of quality of life issues that I
am championing in the City Council. As you know, all too often, measures such as
these can meet with huge opposition from lobbying groups and special interests. It
is about time that the citizens of New York have a greater voice in government.
Your support in promoting these measures will not only help to get them
approved, but will also begin the process of returning city government to the
people it is supposed to serve. Community
Facilities Initiative I
hope you are aware that I am leading the fight to change the zoning code as it
relates to "community facilities." Enclosed is an update on the
progress of this initiative. If you have not done so already, a letter to the
Mayor and City Planning Commissioner Burden would be helpful to keep the
pressure on them to ensure that this reform takes place. "Deed
Restrictions" Bill This proposed legislation would allow homeowners or civic groups to file deed restrictions
with the Department of Buildings (DOB). DOB would then be required to enforce
these restrictions. This would help preserve residential communities from over or improper development. The
City, currently, does not enforce deed restrictions. The only recourse a
homeowner, or civic group, has is to go to court; a lengthy and very expensive
process.
Bill Status and proposed action:
Although my
legislative counsel submitted the bill’s intended format, it has been stalled
for almost 4 months in the City Council's Office of the General Counsel, which
is responsible for the drafting of all legislation. Please send a letter to
Speaker Gifford Miller, City Hall, New York, NY 10007 asking that the bill be
released for introduction in the Council.
Weekend
Construction Prohibition Bill This
legislation will prohibit new construction of one‑two and three family
homes on the weekend. It would significantly improve the quality of life for
residents by eliminating the noise and air pollution on the weekend, while
families are spending time together. It will not preclude homeowners from doing
their own work or hiring contractors to do alterations or ordinary repairs on
existing homes. Bill status and proposed action: The bill
is currently stalled in the Council's Environmental Committee because of
lobbying pressure from construction companies. Should you support this bill,
please send a letter to Speaker Miller as well. City
Traffic Standards Bill I
have introduced legislation to require the City's Department of Transportation
to develop its own standards for installing traffic lights or all-way stops in
neighborhoods throughout the City. Presently, DOT relies on Federal guidelines
to approve these installations. Given the city's terrible traffic conditions, it
is imperative that we develop our own standards enabling neighborhoods to obtain
needed traffic controls in a much more simplified and timely process. Bill
Status and proposed action: I am hopeful that this bill will be scheduled for a
hearing before the Council's Transportation Committee early next year. Please
send a letter of support to Speaker Miller and the Mayor. I
have enclosed a list of my Queens colleagues who have signed on to these bills
as supporters for your information. If you have any questions about these
initiatives, please feel free to call me at my District Office, 718-747-2137. New
York City Council Members Signed on to Intro. 212 - Weekend Construction Legislation *Plus
additional 7 Council Members from other boroughs Intro 289 - City Traffic Standards Legislation *Plus
an additional 13 Council Members from other boroughs |
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Copyright © 2002-07 Little Neck Pines Civic
Association, Inc. All rights reserved. |
