By Bob Harris
In the February 2010 Community Board 8 newsletter, District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide addressed the issue of how many unrelated renters occupying a house make it an illegal occupancy.
City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) held an interagency meeting regarding the issue of illegal occupancy by students in one-family dwellings. There had been some confusion and misinformation about how many unrelated students can reside in a single-family unit.
The city Department of Buildings said if the owners live in the house, they are allowed up to two boarders; if not, they are allowed up to three boarders. “Related” means either blood relation, adoptive or relation by marriage.
If these changes exist, the property is considered a single-room occupancy, which is an illegal conversion. There has been a problem with St. John’s University students living in private houses in Jamaica Estates and Fresh Meadows and disturbing their neighbors. If you have any question or concerns, call CB 8 at 718-264-7895.
At the Dec. 9 meeting of CB 8, a discussion and vote was taken on the proposal by City Hall to stop the sixth day of service in 14 public libraries throughout Queens. The Kew Gardens branch had been open Sundays so people who attended religious services Saturdays had a place to do research and obtain books. The vote was 33 in favor of keeping the branches open; none opposed.
A resolution was passed to give a four-member committee the authority to draft a resolution opposing the closing of Jamaica High School. Thirty were in favor and none opposed. The CB 8 Transportation Committee presented a resolution to save public transportation. The vote was 27 in favor and none opposed.
The newsletter contained a listing of six liquor licenses which the owners have asked to be renewed in various restaurants. The state Liquor Authority renews liquor licenses every few years, so if an establishment is a public nuisance the authority will have the evidence to not approve a license.
If you have a problem with businesses that serve alcohol, send a complaint in writing to CB 8, 197-15 Hillside Ave., Hollis, NY 11423-2126. The 107th Precinct works closely with CB 8 to document and solve problems.
The HWQPI 183-Hillside Avenue Project was scheduled to start March 1. It includes roadway construction, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, curbs, catch basins, traffic lights, street lighting and trees. This project will be performed on Hillside Avenue from the service road of the Van Wyck Expressway to 191st Street. It is scheduled for completion Nov. 20, 2011. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is infrastructure for Hillside Avenue because this area was upzoned a couple of years ago.
The city Department of Design and Construction has said it will not take the lead in setting up an interagency task force for the reconstruction of the Hillside Avenue project. It would like CB 8 and/or 12 to take the lead.
Borough President Helen Marshall has announced that for fiscal year 2010 she will provide $1 million to renovate Ballparks 2, 3 and 4 in Cunningham Park near 193rd Street.
Census 2010 forms have come to homes. The data obtained is necessary for the distribution of federal funding and allocation of state and city monies to a community. Information on these forms may not be shared or released to any other government agency.
The data is needed to determine how many seats a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Remind your friends and neighbors to return the completed forms.
A couple of months ago, CB 8 passed two resolutions. One asked for a task force by the city Health Department to render an opinion on the shortage of health care needs now and to project the needs five or 10 years into the future. Emergency rooms usually have long waits and are overcrowded.
Emergency rooms are overcrowded and hospitals have closed because people use emergency rooms as their method of health care due to a lack of health care coverage. Illegal aliens use emergency rooms because they have no insurance. Hospitals cannot get reimbursed for this use and run a deficit and have to close. The solution is health care reform.
GOOD AND BAD NEWS OF THE WEEK: Burglars disguised as Con Edison or water company workers have been gaining entrance to homes in Astoria. One burglar distracts a senior citizen while the other goes up to the bedroom to steal things.
A utility will notify you in advance if there is work to be done at your house. Check IDs and call up if you are suspicious.
