By Courtney Dentch
Neighbors were concerned the influx of vehicles would add to already overwhelming traffic and air pollution problems in the southeast Queens area, residents had told a public hearing on the plans last Thursday.
But at the board's full meeting Monday night, members did approve a city proposal to change the zoning in Brookville to protect the low-density residential character of the neighborhood.
The board voted to reject an application by the city Economic Development Corp. on behalf of Logan Bus Co., an Ozone Park-based company that contracts with the city to transport disabled children to schools. The company wants to build a 15-acre office, maintenance and parking facility just south of Rockaway Boulevard on Kennedy Airport property to house more than 500 buses and vans, said Tom McKnight, of the EDC.
The site would be in addition to the Ozone Park facility and others around the city, said Howard Eversman, of Logan Bus Co. The firm also plans to hire between 75 and 100 new people a year, giving preference to community residents, he said.
“We are a growth-oriented company,” he said. “We need additional space and we would like to keep it in the borough of Queens.”
Traffic studies completed for the project showed the additional buses, which would use airport roads to enter and exit, would not increase congestion in the area, but residents were skeptical.
“We in the community are not in a position to accommodate any more traffic,” said board member Derek Wormington.
Others were concerned about air pollution from idling buses.
“We have been deluged here by emissions from the airport,” said Jim English, chairman of the Rosedale Civic Association. “There is quite a bit of pollution in the community. The majority of our children, African-American children particularly, are vulnerable to respiratory illnesses like asthma.”
CB 13 voted to reject the project at its Monday meeting.
Similar concerns were raised over a proposal by the EDC and Quick International Courier. The Jamaica-based company transports time-sensitive packages, including human organs and blood supplies, as well as documents and other items. It wanted to consolidate its operation, said Ron Schinik, chief financial officer for the company.
Quick has two small commercial facilities on the northern side of Rockaway Boulevard and the plans call for office, warehouse and parking space on an airport site adjacent to the proposed Logan Bus site, he said.
The facility would be used primarily to house customer service workers and warehouse some packages, Schinik said. Many of Quick's shipments would not even come to the site but go straight to the airport, he said.
And while the company only has 12 vans that would regularly be on site, some were concerned that the number could grow.
“We see an increase in the number of vehicles in the area,” said Barbara Brown, of the Springfield Rosedale Community Action Association. “This is a benign increase but still an increase.”
The board also rejected this proposal at the Monday meeting.
A rezoning plan was approved, however, for a residential section of Brookville. The Department of City Planning wants to limit the type of residential development in the blocks between Springfield and Brookville parks to one- and two-family homes.
The measure must still be approved by the borough president and the City Council.
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
