By Bob Harris
The civic sought the rezoning because speculators were buying houses to be torn down and replaced with as many as seven houses in one location. Bezdikian said that since these activities are now illegal the uniqueness of the community has been preserved and existing houses are worth more money.Holliswood is really a unique neighborhood with winding streets, few or no sidewalks, large houses situated among spectacularly large trees, with some trees on small corner malls. Going into Holliswood is like going into a suburban area out in the woods somewhere.Holliswood President Linda Valentino writes that the civic has had to defend itself from speculators who want variances to build larger houses on property not large enough for a large house legally.The January 2005 Jamaica Hill Community Association newsletter's front page focused on the Department of Buildings. The articles explained that the Queens office of the Buildings Department recently announced that they added eight inspectors who have been reassigned from other boroughs. It seems that the Juniper Park Civic Association in Middle Village exposed a department report from October 2004 listing Queens having more than 12,000 outstanding complaints, many more than the other boroughs.There are now a total of 18 Buildings inspectors assigned to Queens who have closed 2,000 complaints in Queens. Queens residents want to preserve their quality of life and thus complain about illegal conversions. These illegal apartments can be dangerous, since they are illegal constructed and fires can result causing injury or death. Neighboring homes can also be destroyed or damaged due to the fires.One reason why it is hard to stop illegal conversions is because inspectors have to be let into the building. Owners just don't answer the door. Buildings being private property, an official just can't walk in, although if a person wants to sign an affidavit then the department can get a court order to gain entrance to a building.The Jamaica Hill newsletter stated that Queens Borough President Helen Marshall did release a plan of action in June 2004 to address the issue. The plan called for all involved city agencies to work together. They will work with utility companies to report excess meter installations as proof for warrants to gain access. She wants to amend the building code to better define for builders, owners, buyers and renters what is permissible under the law. I don't know what progress has been made.The December 2004 Kissena Park Civic Association Newsletter featured two articles by Zoning Chairperson Joe Amoroso. He wrote about the person who tried zonebusting by scaring people into believing that the downzoning of the community will lower the value of the vacant land next to some people's homes. The person who sent out the flyers has since been identified and has apologized for the scare tactics.Amoroso also wrote that the Buildings Department no longer accepts complaints via the Web. One has to call 311 to complain. The mayor keeps tabs on 311 so he knows what is happening in the city. One can call also Community Board 8 at 718-264-7895 to complain. They will get back to you with results.Good and bad news of the weekThe city Education Department has just announced that they will start several new programs for gifted and talented children in elementary grades next September. They will also replace the hodgepodge of admissions criteria with citywide standards in 2007. This will cost lots of money if they do this right. A rigorous curriculum, equipment and supplies and trained teachers (not just those favored by the principal) will be needed. Is there enough money for all this? Every child should be educated up to his or her ability. But does this mean there will be programs to enrich students who are not doing well? How will instruction differ from regular classes? Good idea but lots of questions.
