Constantinides To Make Major Solar Announcement for District 22
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, Jackson Heights, Woodside, East Elmhurst) will join members of the de Blasio administration and community leaders to announce the installation of solar panels on Council District 22 schools today.
More than 100 New York City schools are slated to become solar capable in the coming years, which is integral to the historic 80×50 greenhouse gas reduction target. Solar has quickly emerged as a green, clean renewable energy that’s less costly to create.
The event is slated for 12:15 p.m., today, Jan. 30, at I.S. 141, The Steinway School, at 31-11 21st Avenue in Astoria.
Katz To Hold Public Land Use Hearing
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will hold a regular Public Hearing on Land Use this week.
The items on the agenda include:
1. Application submitted on behalf of JMK Realty Family Limited Partnership for a Special Permit to allow a school in an M1-4 District within Community Board District 2. Address of location is 9-03 44th Road in Long Island City.
2. Application submitted by Dennis P. George, for a variance to facilitate the construction of a two-story single family house in an R3-1 District within Community Board District. Address of location is 204-23 46th Road in Bayside.
3. Application submitted on behalf of The Trustees of the Estates Belonging to the Diocese of Long Island for bulk variances to facilitate construction of a 21-unit Permanent Supportive Housing Facility in an R5 District within Community Board District 1.Address of Location is 46-09 & 46-19 31st Avenue in Astoria.
4. Application submitted by the New York City Department of Transportation for an amendment to the City Map involving: the elimination, narrowing and realignment of the Nassau Expressway and the establishment of a portion of the south street line of Rockaway Boulevard within the area bounded by 159th Street, Nassau Expressway and Rockaway Boulevard, along with the adjustment of grades and block dimensions necessitated thereby and including authorization for any acquisition or disposition of real property related thereto. Location is within Community Board District 13.
Items 5 and 6 are related.
5. Application submitted on behalf of Ashley Young LLC and John Young Associates LLC for a zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the NYC Zoning Resolution to designate the Project Area a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Designated Area (MIH). Location is within Community Board District 1.
6. Application submitted on behalf of Ashley Young LLC and John Young Associates LLC for an amendment of the Zoning Map.
The event is slated for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at QUeens Borough Hall, at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Sanders Joins Senate Democrats in Passing Critical Anti-Gun Violence Legislation
State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village Far Rockaway) yesterday joined his colleagues in the Senate Democratic Majority to pass a package of bills aimed at reducing gun violence and protecting the safety of residents across the state.
On Tuesday, the New York State Legislature passed a package of gun safety bills including: S2451, which establishes extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) that prohibit citizens from possessing or buying guns if they are deemed dangerous by the court; S2374, which expands background checks; S2438, which allows the State to access out-of-state mental health records when reviewing applicants for firearm permits; S101A, which prevents teachers from carrying guns in schools; S2448, which bans bump stocks; and S2449, which standardizes firearm buyback programs.
In 2018 alone, there were 13 mass shootings in New York, killing or injuring 54 people, according to Sanders’ office.
“As a marine, I support the constitutional right for gun ownership, but there should be a stronger system of checks in place to prevent unnecessary violence and loss of life,” Sanders said. “I believe this package of bills will move us toward that goal,” said Sanders.
“In addition to banning items that turn regular weapons into assault weapons like bump stocks, and keeping guns out of the wrong hands, we will also be looking at the needs of victims and examining what social factors cause gun violence. All of these elements, when addressed collectively, will make a difference,” added Sanders.
