Noise complaints and concerns over spraying for the West Nile virus were some of the issues brought up at this month’s Community Board 10 meeting on Thursday, September 6.
From April to August of this year, there were 1,274 residential noise complaints phoned into 3-1-1, data shows, while 136 commercial noise complaints were made. Additionally, two calls were placed for houses of worship; 33 for parks; 86 for street and sidewalk noise; and 91 for vehicles.
Although residents may tire of making the calls for consistent noise makers, board chair Elizabeth Braton said continuing to call 3-1-1 helps track what types of noise complaints there are, and how consistent.
Several board members were also concerned that the Department of Environmental Protection was not properly notifying residents about spraying for West Nile virus. Members were concerned about people with sensitivities to pesticides, and toys left outside by children.
The board also approved an expansion to a medical office that would allow a nuclear stress test machine to be installed and make patient care easier. The structure is owned by Dr. Joseph Musso, a cardiologist who was represented at the meeting by land use lawyer Eric Polatnik.
The building, located at 94-07 156th Street, was zoned for an additional floor in the front of the building, but could not expand to two stories in the back. This can be changed, however, if the structure meets five criteria for an exemption, Polatnik said.
Because the front portion of the building was built on a wood frame, further foundation would be needed in order to prevent the building from shaking — and causing damage to the machine. This would not have to be done if expansion was done to the back building, which had a metal frame, Polatnik said.
Board members were concerned that once this expansion was done, there would be a desire for further expansion to the building. Polatnik assured the board that in order to expand, the owner needed the approval from the Community Board and expansion was at its members’ discretion.
