By Adam Pincus
Michael Bialek, a senior vice president from Comprehensive Care Management Corp., said during the June 2 land-use public hearing, “We can't have term limits.”Comprehensive Care wants to develop a 10,000-square-foot care center at 11-40 Seneca Ave. to serve about 75 elderly and infirm patients who would be shuttled daily to the facility, allowing them to continue living independently. This proposed center would be company's first in Queens. The company currently manages 12 centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester. Gary Giordano, district manager for CB 5, explained on Tuesday the recommendation was made to ensure the facility fit in well with the community.”We understand that if they are a good organization and do a good job, they would have a right to renew this,” he said.CB 5 approved the plan 31-7-0, but with several conditions, including the 10-year review.Comprehensive Care firmly opposes a review and will not accept such conditions. “It would be impossible to finance,” said Senior Vice President Susan Aldrich. Part of the facility's financing would come from an estimated $2.5 million raised through New York City Industrial Development Agency bonds.Bialek said during the hearing the other recommendations made by Community Board 5 would be addressed, including coordinating arrival and departure times with neighboring school PS 68 at 59-09 St. and Felix Avenue. The company was also committed to planting additional trees, and screening HVAC exhaust. Comprehensive Care has applied for a special permit allowing the center to operate in the manufacturing district where it would be located. As part of the facility, the company seeks to build a 2,400-square-foot second-story addition on top of the existing 7,600-square-foot building. The second floor would be a staging area for nurses who visit patients in their homes.Gary Tarnoff, an attorney representing Comprehensive Care at the hearing, said the facility would be staffed by about 55 employees. The 75 patients per day would be transported by ambulance in groups of four or five. The daily patient level represents about 20 percent of the potential number of people the company plans to serve. “Only a fraction will come to the facility on any given day,” he said”There are 600 [potential patients] in this catchment area, which is one of the key reasons we want to be here,” said Bialek. The care center will provide a recreation area and some physical therapy, and will also serve meals. The Queens Borough president has 30 days to make a recommendation to the City Planning Commission, which will then decide on the special permit application.Reach reporter Adam Pincus by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
