
The area in question is zoned for one-family detached homes, but the proposal calls for three townhouses at this “T” intersection at the foot of Broad Street. What makes this proposal particularly egregious is that cars parked on the driveways of these homes would be forced to drive through the pedestrian crosswalk only to then enter directly into the signalized intersection of Van Duzer and Broad.
Despite the well-known admonition, “Don’t Block the Box,” those who buy these homes will have to blindly back into it, and cars entering the intersection from the driveways won’t have a traffic signal and won’t be able to see the existing traffic light which faces oncoming traffic from Van Duzer and Broad.
The Department of Transportation has approved the project, and the developers will now go to the BSA to seek a variance.
"This is the kind of development that, after it's built, Staten Islanders see it and say, 'How did they allow it to happen?'" noted BP Oddo. "This will be a dangerous situation for pedestrians, for motorists who traverse this corridor, for the very people who buy those houses who try to get in and out of their misplaced and ill designed driveways."
BP Oddo has previously written letters opposing the project to DOT and the BSA.