ALL STILL OPPOSED

Though plans to erect a cell phone antenna atop a Maspeth home have been scaled back, members of Community Board 5 repeated their opposition to the plan during their Nov. 12 meeting at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village.

At the recommendation of its Land Use Committee, the advisory body overwhelmingly approved a resolution recommending denial of a proposal to build an over 40'-tall antenna disguised as a flagpole atop a home on 72nd Place. In October 2007, the board called for the rejection of plans to install a tower over 50' high on the roof of the same address.

Last Wednesday's session also featured board votes on plans to renovate a playground in Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village and an athletic field at Grover Cleveland Park in Ridgewood. A speaker during the public forum also urged the board to support the creation of a local dog park.

Still against Maspeth antenna

As previously reported, Omnipoint Communications— which operates as T-Mobile—substory mitted an application to the city's Board of Standards and Appeals in October 2007 requesting a variance to install a 25'-tall antenna atop a two-story residence on 72nd Place near 53rd Avenue.

Taking the shape of a flagpole, the tower would have risen over 56 feet into the air when combined with the height of the building. Omnipoint representatives, at Board 5's October 2007 meeting, stated that the device was necessary to correct a gap in its coverage area.

During that session and several hearings before the BSA that followed, numerous Maspeth residents voiced their opposition to the plan, citing concerns over the long-term health of neighbors and the overall height of the device.

Land Use Committee Chairperson Walter Sanchez informed the board last Wednesday that Omnipoint had reduced the length of the antenna, lowering its height (combined with the building) to 44 feet, a decrease of 10 feet. Subsequently, the reduction also resulted in lowering the antenna's diameter from 36 to 32 feet.

Even so, Sanchez offered that the board should reaffirm its opposition to the altered proposal, noting that its installation in a residential community would set "a terrible precedent." Board members agreed by an overwhelming vote.

A hearing for the antenna was scheduled to be held by the BSA at their Manhattan headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 18. In a press release, Assemblywoman Margaret Markey called for the new proposal's defeat.

"Despite this change in height, I continue to believe this is an inappropriate structure for a residential block and my statement to the BSA will strongly oppose this application," Markey stated.

Playground projects approved

With the recommendations made by its Parks Committee, Board 5 members voiced their approval of the Parks Department's plans to renovate the athletic field at Ridgewood's Grover Cleveland Park and the Juniper Playground South at Middle Village's Juniper Valley Park.

Prior to the votes, the committee's chairperson, Steve Fiedler, reviewed the details of the projects, which are "fully funded and ready to go."

Regarding the Grover Cleveland Park field, Fiedler said that the Parks Department plans to replace the current asphalt playing surface with synthetic turf. The field would be large enough to accommodate pickup softball and soccer games.

The renovations also include the installation of several new volleyball courts and two handball courts. The Parks Committee recommended that the agency install an additional entrance between the volleyball courts and the athletic field as well as a double-wide gate at one entrance to the facility to allow emergency vehicles access.

Finally, the committee chair said, it was advised that the Parks Department install gates at each entrance to allow volunteers from the community to lock the facility at night.

As for Juniper Playground South, Fiedler stated that the Parks Department plans to create two separate play areas: one for young children and toddlers and the other for older children. Though the initial design called for both areas to be divided with plantings, he noted, the committee advised the agency to install a fence or metal railings instead.

The panel also recommended that the department avoid installing a sandbox at the renovated playground, noting that it could become a dumping ground for stray cats, raccoons and other creatures that may roam the park.

Reviving dog run idea

With the board approving renovation projects at two local parks, local resident Joseph Pisano appealed to the advisory body to recommend a third: the creation of a dog park at Juniper Valley Park.

During the public forum, Pisano noted that he and other dog owners in the Middle Village area walk their dogs through the public green during off-leash hours between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., giving a limited time to allow their canines to roam through the park.

A dog run, he stated, would confine man's best friends to a specific location and would eliminate a number of existing problems in the area, such as noise and damage to property.

"There are a lot of other things going on in the park, the least of which are owners walking their dogs," Pisano added.

Construction woes

The ongoing reconstruction of the center medians at the intersection of Grand and Flushing avenues in Maspeth has created congestion and a number of problems for drivers and pedestrians traveling through the area, according to Christina Wilkinson, secretary of the Juniper Park Civic Association.

She informed board members that the project—designed to increase safety for those walking across both roadways at 64th Street—has caused traffic backups stretching, at its peak, six blocks east to 69th Street. Additionally, instead of going forward through the median, trucks must now make a sharp turn right at 64th Street before making a quick turn left back onto Grand Avenue.

"Trucks are jumping the curb to turn," she said. "It's ironic that this traffic solution is actually endangering people."

After problems first arose, Wilkinson said, the JPCA contacted the city Department of Transportation regarding the concerns. According to the civic secretary, Queens Commissioner Maura McCarthy replied that no problems were observed during a visit to the site in October.

While the civic group is in favor of the reconstruction project, as noted in a press release issued on Nov. 10, the organization believes work should have been delayed until the DOT enacts the Maspeth Bypass plan to divert truck traffic off Grand Avenue.

Zoning text, stalled study

The City Planning Commission has approved a zoning text amendment designed to prohibit homeowners and developers from paving over front yards, according to Tom Smith of the Department of City Planning.

He informed residents that the codes mandate that builders plant trees, grass or other plants on a percentage of front lots ranging from 20 percent for lots less than 20 sq. ft. to 50 percent for lots 60 sq. ft. or greater.

Board 5 treasurer Kathy Masi asked Smith to update the board regarding the stalled second phase of the rezoning of parts of Glendale, Maspeth and Middle Village. She noted that each community has been waiting over three years to hear of progress regarding the plan.

Smith replied that the DCP is continuing to work on the proposal and hopes to present its findings to board members next spring.

Pols pay board a visit

State Sen.-elect Joseph Addabbo and City Council Member-elect Elizabeth Crowley stopped by to greet board members and express the intent in working with them to make improvements to the communities they represent.

Addabbo addressed the ongoing budget crisis in Albany and stated that he would work closely with Gov. David Paterson and other legislators to ensure that additional spending cuts are made while, at the same time, bringing as much resources as possible to the 15th State Senate district he will represent come January.

He also stated that he would work to ensure that local senior citizens centers are not closed by the city, adding that he would thwart all efforts to replace the daily delivery of ready-to-eat meals with the weekly delivery of frozen dinners. Addabbo encouraged residents to call the city's 311 to let them know they're opposed to the plan.

Toward the conclusion of the meeting, Crowley came by to state her excitement about the opportunity to represent the 30th City Council District, adding that she was at the board's disposal to "start the dialogue" regarding their issues and concerns. She will take office in January.

Prior to her arrival, Crowley's representative, Dominick Dale, read a letter written by the Council member elect informing them that she would work to improve local schools and healthcare while fighting the creation of new taxes.

Both Addabbo and Crowley noted they are each looking for spaces in the area to house their respective district offices.

Liquor licenses

Board Chairperson Vincent Arcuri announced that the board has received alcoholic beverage permit renewal applications from the following locations:

• A liquor license renewal for Gran Bohio Clase Lechonera restaurant, located at 54-55 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood;

• A liquor license renewal for Plateau Liquor Store, Inc., d.b.a. Plateau Liquor Store, located at 53- 05 65th Pl. in Maspeth;

• A liquor license renewal for A to K and L to Z, Inc., d.b.a. Kelly's Pub, located at 82-11 Eliot Ave. in Middle Village;

• A wine and/or beer license renewal for Linden Grocery Store, located at 1702 Linden St. in Ridgewood; and,

• A wine and/or beer license renewal for Betsy Jonny Coffee and Restaurant Corp., d.b.a. Fresh Pond Corner Coffee Shop, located at 67- 22 Fresh Pond Rd. in Ridgewood.

Those who wish to comment on any of the above applications may do so by calling Board 5's Glendale office at 1-718-366-1834 during normal business hours.

Demolition notices

The chairperson also informed attendees that the community board has received demolition notices for the following locations:

• A property at 69-67 57th Dr. in Maspeth;

• A property at 53-12 74th St. in Maspeth; and,

• A property at 66-26 Gray St. in Middle Village.

Board members were advised to keep a careful eye on construction at each location and to report any suspicious activities immediately.

Community Board 5 generally meets on the second Wednesday each month at 7:30 p.m. at locations throughout Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth and Middle Village. For more information, call Board 5's Glendale office at 1-718-366-1834.