Manhattan Beach Community Group

Dear Neighbor,

      While I am pro-development, it is important that we carefully consider what impact any additions to our community will have.  Recently, I was advised that a developer wanted to construct a nine-story multi-use building along the subway tracks from Sheesphead Bay Road to Avenue Z.  This is an as of right project as long as 178 off-street parking spaces are provided.  Building plans indicate that a single elevator will carry cars to floors two, three and four.

      Anyone who is familiar with this area of our community knows how congested it already is, with an entrance to an express subway station, three bus lines and a busy commercial strip. Adding a magnet for hundreds of cars queuing up to enter the upper floor parking areas, plus ambulettes and livery cars dropping off and picking up patients, will turn this street scene into one of perpetual gridlock.

      When I learned that the developer was planning to ask Community Board 15 for a special permit to allow him to reduce the required number of parking spaces by over 40 percent, I realized that a bad situation for our community could become worse.  The developer alleges in his environmental assessment statement that his project “is not expected to result in significant adverse impacts on street conditions, roadway conditions and parking,” and “…is unlikely to have a significant effect on traffic flow…parking conditions…and vehicular and pedestrian safety.”  What is he basing his conclusion on?  No traffic study has been conducted.  The developer failed to study the transportation issue and will attempt to mislead the Board of Standards and Appeals about it - giving the facts no chance - giving the shoppers, bus riders, residents and existing businesses no consideration.  That is why I am demanding that an independent traffic study be done by the New York City Department of Transportation before this project is allowed to go any further.  I have already met with Brooklyn Transportation Commissioner Joseph Palmieri, who assured me that he would be looking into this matter.  I called on Community Board 15 to pass a resolution for a DOT traffic study to be conducted prior to either the Buildings Department or Board of Standards and Appeals considering this project.  The Community Board passed the resolution and also denied the developer’s request for the special permit at its May 25th meeting.  I commend the members of the Community Board for their action in representing and protecting the community and will continue to work with them to monitor this situation.