Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro, Councilman Oddo to building owners: “Parking ‘solution’ is no solution at all”
B.P., Councilman, rail at Building’s Dept. for allowing questionable plans through
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro and Councilman James Oddo today expressed outrage over a proposed solution to a parking shortage at a new 3-story commercial building in Grant City.
A recently constructed three story building located at 2000 Hylan Boulevard, slated to contain a car wash and tire and oil change center, in addition to a restaurant and two floors of office space, was constructed without adequate parking spaces. Required parking spaces are determined by the uses and square footage of the building. In an attempt to bring the new structure into compliance, the owner of the new building, who also owns the Colonnade Diner across the street at 2001 Hylan Boulevard, has proposed to park the balance of the required cars for the newly constructed building, in the existing diner parking lot. To accommodate the additional cars, the owner is proposing a mandatory 24 hour attendant parking service for diner patrons as well as the motorists patronizing the new businesses located across the street at 2000 Hylan Boulevard.
“This interpretation by the Department of Buildings will set a terrible precedent for commercial development throughout the Borough,” Molinaro said. “Besides wreaking havoc on the residential streets and further congesting traffic along Hylan Boulevard, this approval rewards the owner for overbuilding the property in the first place! This can not and should not be allowed.”
Councilman Oddo said, “Government can't make decisions that worsen our problems. Staten Islanders are expecting their government to help them, and as best as I can see, this decision will only worsen traffic,negatively impact residential areas,and erode a quality of life that we are fighting hard to protect.”
“There are many unanswered questions about the project design and layout,” Molinaro continued. “There is also an elevated outdoor terrace planned for the diner. That will add accommodations for an additional 74 patrons to the proposed madness, and therefore more cars,” Molinaro said. “I will be asking City Planning and the Department of Buildings to review this approval and change their decision.”
October 13, 2009