Pols Told To Prevent Over-Development

Borough residents sent a clear message to politicians last week: "Stop the overbuilding of Queens."
On Wednesday, a coalition of civic associations and preservationists took to the steps of Queens Borough Hall, blaming inadequate zoning regulations, a paucity of historic district designations and underfunded regulating agencies for the deluge of "McMansion"-style homes and community facility developments threatening the character of their neighborhoods.
"We see the attitude of these developers as, Ill do whatever I want on my land," said James Trent, treasurer of the Queens Civic Congress, lambasting multi-family behemoths that have sprouted up in previously single-family-home neighborhoods.
Decrying overdevelopment for diminishing the quality-of-life and for endangering historically significant homes, members of the coalition demanded the Department of City Planning re-zone neighborhoods to keep construction of new homes within the context of current ones, and to remove floor exemptions that permit "McMansions."
"The rules are written not for us; they are written for the builders," blasted Paul Graziano, a preservationist and urban planning consultant working to have parts of northeast Queens re-zoned.
The coalition also attributed the high rate of exemption approvals that developers receive to an underfunded Board of Standards and Appeals. Members also denounced current zoning changes under way, and called amendments to the community facility zoning text weak and ineffective.
Politicians who attended the rally pledged their support to the coalition and touted various bills currently in the State Legislature and the City Council aimed at stemming over-development.
"We want to keep the neighborhoods in- tact," said Councilman John Liu.
Two bills are currently in the City Councilone that requires all buildings to adhere to deed restrictions on land, and one delaying, for 30 days, the demolition of homes that are 50 years or older, which will allow the Landmarks Preservation Commission to determine their historical significance.
Phylis Shafron, an aide to Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, told demonstrators that a bill is in the State Legislature to end tax exemptions that "McMansion" developers can receive.
"We are saying, Dont build it on our taxpayer dollars," she said.