By Joe Anuta
The deal is off between a noisy Auburndale car service center and lawmakers from northeast Queens.
City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) threw down the gauntlet Monday morning outside the Star Nissan Service Center, at 172nd Street and Station Road, pledging to force the businesses to comply with city regulations.
“City laws are not optional and Auburndale is not your personal playground,” Halloran said at a news conference. “Along with my colleagues in government, I will do all I can to end Star Nissan’s 10-year reign of nuisance.”
Halloran had set what he called a “good neighbor” deadline of Nov. 15 for the center to reduce noise by keeping its large bay doors closed when not being used to enter and exit the shop.
The deadline, which Halloran said the dealer ignored, was imposed after the councilman was captured on video cursing at the manager in an explicative-laced tirade, saying: “I’m not f—ing joking. Either these doors stay closed, top to bottom, all the f—ing time, or we’re going to have a problem! This is the last time we have this conversation!”
On Monday morning, Halloran was joined by a throng of supporters, many brandishing signs lambasting the center, along with several colleagues in government.
But a manger for the dealership said he missed the news conference and had no response to the allegations and pledge by Halloran to rein in the service center.
The councilman listed some of the regulations he said the business had been flaunting for about a decade.
Star Nissan is required to provide one parking space for every 10 employees, which equates to about 20 spaces, the councilman said.
The service center would also have to stop storing more than 44 vehicles on the lot to comply with its certificate of occupancy, he said.
In addition, Halloran demanded the center close its windows and doors at all hours to comply with zoning laws and install a ventilation system that is up to code.
In a previous interview with TimesLedger Newspapers, Service Manager Elliot Rothman said all garage doors, except the one in the front of the service center, are automatic and close about 30 seconds after a vehicle passes through.
The plight of the Auburndale street aroused the curiosity of city Public Advocate Bill de Blasio as well.
De Blasio did not attend the conference but pledged to aid the councilman in ensuring that the center operates within the boundaries of the law.
“It’s high time for Star Nissan to respect the residents of this neighborhood and start acting in good faith,” he said in a statement. “My office will work closely with city agencies to ensure Star is complying with the law and bring this noise and disruption to a long-overdue conclusion.”
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
