By Phil Corso
Community Board 11 heard reports from its Transportation and Government Affairs committees this week in support of a city resolution recommending federal funding for co-op and condo groups as well as various speed bump proposals throughout its northeast Queens territory.
The City Council passed a resolution last week urging the federal government to sign onto legislation that would make co-ops and condos eligible for storm relief grant money provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A bill was introduced earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Melville) in the wake of Superstorm Sandy but has yet to make it through Congress, so lawmakers in co-op-heavy Queens hoped their voices would move things along.
The board threw its support behind the resolution, as CB 11 represents parts of Bayside, Little Neck and Douglaston, where plenty of residents would benefit from the legislation.
The board’s Transportation Committee also submitted proposals for speed bumps as well as a suggestion to remove a bus shelter near the intersection of Union Turnpike and Springfield Boulevard. Committee Co-chairmen Bernard Haber and Chris Petallides presented their findings to board members in Monday night’s monthly CB 11 meeting in Bayside.
Of the four proposals on the meeting’s agenda, CB 11 said one for speed bumps in Bayside was nixed after some review.
After some consideration, the committee ruled against proposing speed bumps at 36th Avenue between 218th and 219th streets as well as between Bell Boulevard and Corporal Stone Street. According to board members, the committee concluded that installing speed bumps at those locations would only divert unwanted traffic to other nearby streets and not completely solve the problem.
As for the bus shelter, the board suggested the city remove the one currently stationed near Union Turnpike and Springfield Boulevard because some residents said it was an eyesore and reduced visibility for drivers passing through the intersection.
The Transportation Committee also floated two other proposals, including the removal of overnight parking restrictions on the west side of Francis Lewis Boulevard, just south of Crocheron Avenue, and the expansion of a road junction between the southbound Clearview Expressway and the Long Island Expressway.
The board will present the proposals to the city Department of Transportation for further consideration, CB 11 said.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
