By Jeremy Walsh
As a major construction project nears completion in Elmhurst, the Juniper Park Civic is dredging up an old fight with its owner, who appears to be changing his plans for the site.
The five−story Aldona Fire Protection building at 54−14 74th St. towers over nearby structures in an area where two−story buildings are the norm. Business owner Dariusz Skarzynski was granted a variance to build taller by the city Board of Standards & Appeals five years ago, citing a hardship due to the irregular lot shape.
“I think this is a monstrosity and the BSA is out of control,” said Juniper Park Civic President Robert Holden.
But though the building is nearly finished, problems have emerged. The city has issued a violation on the property, noting the construction does not conform to the plans and a large sign is permanently affixed at roof level. A hearing was scheduled for April 28.
The city allows signs on exterior walls of buildings manufacturing zones like the one where the Aldona building sits, but they require the owner to get an alteration permit and sometimes register as an outdoor advertising company.
Juniper Civic members and City Councilman Tony Avella (D−Bayside) are fighting the two−story−tall billboard on the building facing the westbound lanes of the Long Island Expressway a block and a half to the south. It advertises office space for rent, something the civic said Skarzynski never mentioned as part of his plan when applying for the variance.
At the time of the application, Skarzynski told Community Board 5 he wanted to combine his other offices at the 74th Street location, which he acquired in 1999, according to Holden.
Staff at Aldona said Skarzynski was not available for comment by press time Tuesday. According to published reports, he said he was looking to rent out a floor of the new building because the economic downturn had affected his business.
“This is one more example of how the BSA doesn’t listen to the community,” Avella said. “The fact that this property owner lied to the BSA … should be grounds to overturn the variance.”
The building was controversial as soon as it was proposed in 2004. CB 5 voted against the plan, but Borough President Helen Marshall supported it and the BSA approved the variance.
The variance was granted for the use of Aldona, which installs and maintains fire and burglar alarms, not for the use of office space.
“Board approval is required in the event the applicant uses the entire building for office use or alters the board−approved plans,” the variance states.
Avella has sponsored bills in the Council that would allow borough presidents to appoint members to the BSA and require any property owner’s financial hardship application to be reviewed by a financial expert.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e−mail at jewalsh@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 154.
