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Douglaston developer appeals stay on 26th Ave. project

Douglaston developer appeals stay on 26th Ave. project
By Stephen Stirling

A Douglaston developer who had unusual construction plans for a multiple family home revoked amid outcry from North Flushing residents and City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) has applied to the city Board of Standards and Appeals in a bid to resurrect his proposal.

According to BSA records, Paul Rufino has applied for a variance to build a six-family home at 166-43 26th Ave., claiming financial hardship because he had already started to construct walls and foundation around an existing home on the property.

“It is easily the most egregious thing I have seen in my eight years in the City Council and my 20 years in the community,” Avella said.

The peculiar story began in March when Rufino, unbeknownst to his tenants, began construction on several large cinder block walls and portions of a concrete foundation around an existing Tudor home at the site. Avella said Rufino was attempting to grandfather in his plans to tear down the home and build a multiple-family dwelling — which the recently approved North Flushing rezoning does not allow — by completing enough of it before the rezoning was passed by the City Council in May.

Following several protests held by Avella and members of the neighborhood, the city Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order and eventually revoked Rufino’s building permit altogether.

Calls to Rufino’s company, the Douglaston Development Corp., were not immediately returned.

Marlene Von Schmeling, who rents the home and a personal training studio at adjacent 25-60 Francis Lewis Blvd. from Rufino, said the situation has amounted to a nightmare for her family. Neighbors said Von Schmeling and her family will move out by the end of September.

But Avella said if this occurs, Rufino could apply for a demolition permit from the city Department of Buildings to knock down the Tudor home currently on the property.

“But if he gets the demolition permit and he demolishes the house, if he loses his appeal to the BSA all he can rebuild there is a one-family house,” Avella said. “This guy thinks he’s smart, but I don’t think he’s smart.”

Though the Board of Standards and Appeals has not yet scheduled a hearing, Community Board 7 is scheduled to host a hearing on Rufino’s plans Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Union Plaza Care Center in Flushing.

Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at sstirling@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.