By Alex Robinson
Trees that populated the historic Klein Farm in Fresh Meadows were recently cut down, causing outrage among residents and elected officials.
What had been the last family-owned working farm in Queens before it was sold to the son of a notorious developer sits in the Fresh Meadows Special Planned Community Preservation District, meaning any changes to the property have to be approved by the City Planning Commission.
“There are only two trees left,” said Community Board 8 member Tammy Osherov, who came running from her house when she heard the trees were being cut down. “We managed to stop them for just a few moments.”
Osherov said she first noticed changes being made to the property, at 194-15 73 Ave., at the end of October and that the property’s contractors have been doing gradual work each week.
The city Department of Buildings issued the property’s owner a stop-work order last week when residents made complaints that multiple trees had been cut down and the driveway had been expanded without a permit.
Buildings issued a violation to Audrey Realty Wednesday “for the significant modification of an existing landscape at this location in violation of the zoning resolution,” a DOB spokeswoman said.
Before the violation was issued, a DOB spokeswoman said violations had not been issued yet as the agency was working with the Planning Commission to investigate the matter.
Some CB 8 members, however, claimed the agencies were squabbling over semantics in the property’s zoning resolution, which says “no substantial modifications of existing topography or landscaping, including plantings,” can be made without a special permit.
Florence Fisher, a CB 8 member and president of the Mid Queens Community Council, said the argument is over whether the tree removal qualifies as “substantial.”
“They need to make an amendment to the [zoning] law and add a definition of substantial. They need to be a little bit more clear as to what they mean by substantial,” she said.
Joe Klein sold the farm to Audrey Realty, owned by Henry Huang, son of convicted felon Thomas Huang, in 2003 for $4.3 million. The senior Huang was found guilty of damaging the landmarked RKO Theater in Flushing in 1999. The developer pleaded guilty to spilling hundreds of gallons of oil in the theater’s basement and for ignoring asbestos contamination in the building. He was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
Henry Huang was not available for comment.
Audrey Realty unsuccessfully attempted to develop the property into 22 two-family homes.
Preschool of America, which offers daycare for children, currently occupies the old farm building, at 194-15 73rd Ave.
City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) has said in the past that as long as he is in the Council, unsanctioned alterations to the property will not be tolerated.
“I’m of the mind they did this illegally. We don’t know exactly why they did this, but we’re working with DOB to make sure they get punished for this illegal act,” Weprin said.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
