West Flushing Civic Association

Church Parking Lot Gets A Big Thumbs Down From CB 7 Committee

BY RICHARD JANNACCIO

On Tuesday, April 15, Community Board 7's Land Use Committee Voted unanimously, 9 to 0, to disapprove an application for a Special Permit that would have legalized an illegal parking lot in a residential district to serve the needs of the Korean Presbyterian Church of Queens. The church is located on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Bowne Street.

The West Flushing Civic Association was entitled to one vote on the committee, which was cast in oppostition along with the rest.

This was an important victory, and will unmistakably generate momentum in our favor as this application proceeds to the full Community Board, the Borough President, and to the City Board of Standards and Appeals [BSA], which makes the final decision. The Community Board and Borough President submit recommendations which are only advisory, but can carry considerable weight.

Congratulations to all who invested their time and effort. Kudos to Waldheim Civic Association President Joan Damian, whose presentation was excellent.

Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin's representative pledged her boss's full support in opposing the Parking Lot. Councilman John Liu had previously promised to write a letter of support as well.

State Sen. Toby Stavisky's representative, who attended the first meeting without revealing an opinion, didn't show up last night.

I will send a letter to the Board of Standards And Appeals, under the letterhead of the West Flushing Civic Association, presenting our reasons for total and unalterable opposition to this project. The executive board and members of West Flushing Civic are united against the parking lot proposal.

I will be attaching various "Exhibits" to our letter, which will be addressed to James Chin, Chair of Board of Standards and Appeals. Copies will be distributed to other interested parties.

Those who are interested in writing letters should mail them within the next few days so that they arrive no later than May 2, 2002.

The mailing address is: James Chin, Chair, Board of Standards and Appeals, 40 Rector Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10006.

The fax number is (212) 676-2828, but their phones and fax were not working at least for the past few days.

You should make reference to #67-02-BZ, the number assigned to this application by BSA. The Special Permit is being requested for 143-25 Ash Avenue and 143-22 Franklin Avenue.

A Public Hearing regarding this application will be held by BSA on Tuesday, May 7 at 2 p.m., at 40 Rector St., 6th Floor, in Manhattan.

Community Board 7 will hold its Public Hearing Monday May 13, at 7 pm at Union Plaza Nursing Home, 33-23 Union Street, Flushing, 9th Floor.