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Warehouse draws ire from Baysiders

Warehouse draws ire from Baysiders
By Ivan Pereira

Bayside residents urged Borough President Helen Marshall last Thursday not to allow for an expansion for an area business that has been bothering them for years.

A representative from Lund Fire Products Inc., at 40−33 215th St., spoke to Helen Marshall during her land use public hearing and showed off a proposal for a variance to permit the construction of a one−story warehouse in the rear of the company’s offices.

The land is currently zoned with an R3X designation and attorney Adam Rothkrug said the project would provide new parking spaces for Lund, which manufacturers fire extinguishers, and clear up traffic for residents.

“This will permit the business to alleviate concerns. We’ll be able to improve circulation,” he said.

Several Bayside neighbors rejected that claim.

Frank Skala argued that the expansion would bring in more traffic from delivery trucks and operate all day and night.

Skala, the East Bayside Homeowners Association president, said Lund has been a nuisance to Bayside for nearly 40 years because it has been inundating its streets with unwanted traffic and storage of potentially hazardous materials.

“Lund said if you don’t give the variance, they’ll move to Long Island City,” he told Marshall. “I said, ‘Good. Move.’ ”

Rothkrug insisted that Lund wold not bring in big vehicles and that the warehouse would only be used to house supplies currently being stored inside the main offices.

Marshall will make her recommendation on the proposal by Nov. 3.

Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e−mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 146.