I also see your point that since I can’t substantiate it via the media it has to be treated as rumor. You might do some digging on your own with some local politicians if you want to see if I’m full of it. Or you can assume that very powerful people with a lot to lose are always going to play by the rules and always let the public in on their game plan.

My experience here is that the decisions are made in private and then rolled out on us when it’s too late to voice an opinion or concern. Look at simple things like the bicycle lane and the one way streets, etc. Whatever your belief about what’s beneficial or destructive, wouldn’t it be nice to have some semblance of a say in these matters?

I can accept that there are people who have no issue with the height and density and proposed use. I only wish these same people could accept that there are those of us who do have concerns and issues. We really have to stop negating each others points of view and get better at at least understanding.

And wrong townie, I live one block away from the proposed building and my kids are here as well.

If you plan to offer a different tenant as the community facility, that tenant has to be vetted as a new entity – minimally to determine that the tenant qualifies under DOB and Zoning rules.

I can’t for example get a permit for one property and then take it across the street and use it with the excuse that “hey, it’s just like that property over there.”

I did say that even as someone who originally opposed the variance, I would not challenge all the other issues – among them is there really a hardship here? I accept the defeat. But I don’t accept their changing the components for which the variance was granted. That requires a hearing. I don’t need a lawyer to see that.

Look, my interest is not to bring this project to its knees. It comes from the long term experience of the community getting the shaft when we agree to variances. Simple example – where is the library? Different specifics but same concept.

Before you hurl accusations at me learn the facts. I have no axe to grind whatsoever. You don’t know anything about me. Your reaction is knee jerk.
I simply agree with your last two sentences:

“Whatever the owner wants to put there that is in complance with the laws is fine with me. I respect the rule of law.”

So, if it turns out that the project moves forward with the community facility tenant by which the variance was obtained (even though CUNY dorms never did actually qualify under DOB rules) I will live with it. I respect the process however flawed since it is at least some semblance of a process.

But… if it turns out that the same project is built without the community facility tenant that was claimed, I assume that because of your interest in the rule of law you will join me if I protest.

I also don’t see what this one building has to do with any of the things that you mention. Somehow this one buiding is responsible for post office closings, fire departments threatened, every pothole in LIC, the #7 train, sewers, etc. I hear this building is also contributing to global warming and the melting of the polar ice. Whatever… Also for decades industry dumped this posionous stuff in your backyard while a blind eye was turned. Now you try to clean it up as best as possible and everyone wants to be a community watchdog now that the horses are out of the barn. Like it was safe before just because no one was messing around with it. Yeah okay. Good luck with that. Seems like you should write a letter to your elected representatives.

Much of the community is deeply concerned about the growing density and the shrinking services – post office closings, crowding on subways, sewers backing up into homes, trucks rumbling up small streets leaving unrepaired potholes, fire departments threatened, and the general upheaval of small business and long term residential tenants being forced out. Not to mention the point of this article – the crap we are breathing as the soft soil is being unnecessarily stirred.

But again, even if that doesn’t matter, you should care about the backroom dealing that allows anything to happen. Gee, you don’t like it when a bar is denied a license but no problem when it comes to a building. If you had any real stake in the area other than just what farts from your brain today, you would get it.

And guess what? That 12 stories you are so sure will be built was the same 27 stories you were sure last year would be built. The 12 stories btw, were supposed to have been completed this past September. So how well is that going?

how about offices or something arts related? something more commercial? otherwise the entire 48th ave west of vernon is bland condos…yuck.

Ok, back to reality…

Do yourselves a favor and learn the facts. For one thing Queens College was never mentioned and has zippo to do with this. Second thing before you fling accusations that people are lying do the research. Just because you, oh great one, can’t find the information does not mean I am wrong. How about going direct to the job site as I and others have and speaking to management there.

Finally name one half truth or innuendo from the BSA hearings.

And who cares about a 12-floor building? That’s hardly too large or inappropriate for the neighborhood. I would LOVE to have more apartment buildings instead of vacant lots or parking lots.

Get a hobby or something, so you don’t have to waste your time trying to bother everyone else.