By Bob Harris
However, city civic associations have been unhappy for years with the way Buildings operates.
The enforcement of the zoning laws is of concern to homeowners and tenants because what is built or reconstructed affects their block, neighborhood and quality of life.
Whenever the Queens Civic Congress, the umbrella organization of civic associations in Queens, holds forums, the zoning sessions are the ones attended by the most people. This was also true under the old Federation of Queens Civic Councils.
Since reconstructions are supposed to meet city standards the Department of Buildings is required to issue a permit which is supposed to be displayed prominently at the construction site. but owners or speculators who want to build illegal additions or rooms often hire people to do demolition or construction on weekends so people find it harder to complain. The DOB's new Central Complaint Center number is 212-227-7000.
Civic associations welcome the proposal to overhaul the DOB. Residents have complained to their civics for years about the Byzantine activities of DOB. People just want to maintain the quality of life in their neighborhoods and want an agency which will solve their complaints promptly.
For years people have said that when they complained about a non-conforming extension to a neighboring house and went down to Buildings to see the original plans, they had found them missing.
It seems that the borough DOB had asked people to leave some ID when they came to look at the plans.
Builders, who were doing illegal things and wanted to destroy the plans, would send someone down with stolen or illegal IDs who then would walk away with the plans.
I am told that currently the information is put into a computer also, but….
Another problem is that the wait to file plans or to see someone at the DOB is so long and can be so difficult that expediters are hired to get things done. I once read that expediters come very early, put a folder on their spot in line and then go out for breakfast.
Why does this have to be?
The Jamaica Estates Association, Kew Gardens Homeowners and Juniper Park Civic Association of Middle Village have complained for years that they are stonewalled when they bring their charges of illegal demolition, illegal rooms, buildings not conforming to the size and shape of the other buildings in the community and other problems, to the DOB.
And they see only a slap on the wrist if someone is caught doing something illegal. Builders who are spending $200,000 don't consider a $500 or a $1,000 fine, which they may never pay anyway, a problem
State legislators have responded to all this with an increase in fines for illegal building activities and the addition of fines as liens against buildings. so they have to be paid with taxes or there will be a foreclosure.
The Buildings, like the Parks Department, constantly has its budget cut so the number of personnel is lowered then raised. They play with us by coming to a civic association meeting and announcing that they have just added inspectors.
The problem is, there is only a handful of inspectors in any borough at any time. Actually, if illegal actions could be fined and the fines collected; then the salaries would be paid for by the criminals. This applies to the State Liquor Authority.
There were so many alterations going on and so many complaints that there were about 15,000 outstanding cases awaiting certification at one time, so the city responded by permitting licensed construction people TO CERTIFY THEIR OWN WORK.” I have not heard of one construction person who was caught in a lie being punished. Are there any?
Several high Buildings officials have just been indicted for allegedly taking bribes.
All the residents of Queens want are nice neighborhoods with everyone following the law. If the law is wrong then change it. We cannot permit corruption, influence peddling, or bribery by owners, speculators, builders or government officials.
Reminder: The new current DOB Central Complaints Centerline is 212-227-7000. Let's hope it works!
Good and Bad
News of the week
It is election time. It is my philosophy that elections are wonderful because it is a chance for us to hold our officials and legislators accountable. Often, things get done just prior to election time. I thing this is great.
The two candidates in the 2000 New York U.S. senate race will spend $100 million total.
Yes, some of us give $25 or $50 or $100 to a candidate but some groups give hundreds of thousands. Why so much money? What do they expect for their money? Is this bribery?
This makes me nervous since I have concerns about enforcing the zoning laws, providing city services and maintaining our quality of life, like containing airplane noise. Imagine what $100 million could do for our society and quality of life instead of being spent on TV, radio and print advertisements.
