Staten Island City Of Yes Projects Are Inappropriate For Our Communities, Recent BESS Fire Should Be Seen As Warning, Sensory Santa Photo Event For Special Needs Kids: BP Fossella
BP Vito Fossella
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Staten Island City Of Yes Projects Are Inappropriate For Our Communities, Recent BESS Fire Should Be Seen As Warning, Sensory Santa Event: BP Fossella
BP Fossella to Raise Concern Over Two Developing City of Yes Projects in Great Kills
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella once again sounded the alarm on two City of Yes developments taking place in Great Kills at a press conference at the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM.
The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning amendments made sweeping changes to the kinds of developments permitted in low-density residential zones, such as those which comprise much of Staten Island.
For some time, Borough President Fossella has warned that the City of Yes, which was overwhelmingly opposed by Staten Island’s community boards and elected officials, threatened to fundamentally change the character and nature of Staten Island’s residential areas.
Now these concerns seem to be vindicated, as several projects are underway to reconstruct several single-family properties on Staten Island into multiple multi-family homes. One such project is poised to subdivide a one-family home at the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue into five distinct two-family homes. In addition, another proposal on Gibson Avenue, between Miles Avenue and Sampson Avenue, is planned to convert two single-family homes into four homes with the potential to house multiple families.
The Borough President first raised the alarm outside the Oakdale Street property at 10:00 AM, and then continued the press conference in front of the Gibson Avenue property at 10:20 AM, calling to light these two projects which both have the potential to fundamentally alter the character of Great Kills.
A Statement from Borough President Vito Fossella on BESS Fire in Warwick
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella issued the following statement regarding the recent BESS fire in Warwick, Orange County:
“The BESS fire that started Friday in Warwick, Orange County, is not an anomaly. It’s a warning.
We are calling for an immediate shut down and inspection of all sites owned, operated, or leased by Convergent and any facility using batteries manufactured by Powin.
For years, we have warned that BESS units are inherently unproven and dangerous, that if they catch fire they burn for days, and when they do they release toxic gases. We have also warned that these facilities are prone to catch fire under a wide variety of circumstances, including water damage.
Unfortunately, our concerns have once again been realized. The Warwick battery fire was caused, ironically, by water. And, one storage unit still continues to burn.
It is also no coincidence that this is the second lithium-ion battery fire in Warwick in the past two years.
The operator of this BESS unit is involved with at least one project underway on Staten Island. With all the rain we’ve been getting, and are yet to get, why is the City not taking this threat seriously?
On one hand, it fines a 4th generation business for a sign on the sidewalk that has been there for decades. On the other, it has no problem allowing these literal fire bombs next to people’s homes and gas stations.
When will the City prioritize safety over “progress” and issue a moratorium until these unproven and volatile facilities are proven to be safe?
We need to amend State law and City zoning ordinances to increase setbacks to 250 feet in business and industrial zones and 1,000 feet in residential and mixed-use zones.
The safety of our residents and neighborhoods MUST come first. Right now, the way the laws are written, the COST AND CONVENIENCE of the power companies come first.”
And some good news:
Borough President Vito Fossella was privileged to attend a magical day as Harmon Funeral Home hosted its first annual Sensory Santa Photo Event for children with special needs and their families last Sunday.
The day included hot chocolate, cupcakes, cookies and free raffles, which were generously donated by local businesses. The children were delighted by touring an FDNY fire truck and an ambulance.
And, of course, the day was made by complete by a visit from Santa Claus.
We thank the staff of Harmon Funeral Home for inviting us and for creating lifetime memories for the children and their families.
Sensory Santa event at Harmon Funeral Home. Image Credit – BP Fossella
Sensory Santa event at Harmon Funeral Home. Image Credit – BP Fossella
Banner Image: BESS Fire statement image. Image Credit – BP Fossella
The Office of the Borough President has a responsibility to advocate for the entire Borough of Staten Island and all its residents, and represents the Borough's interests within City government.
The Borough President communicates directly with the Mayor and the City Council to emphasize Staten Island’s budget priorities.
In addition, the Borough President is responsible for reviewing major land use decisions and proposing sites for city facilities within the Borough.
As the chair of the Borough Board, the Borough President leads Staten Island’s City Council delegation and Community Board chairs in the process of reviewing and approving the transfer of public properties to private use. The Borough President’s Office houses the Borough's Topographical Bureau, which maintains the borough’s official maps and assigns street addresses.
The Borough President monitors the delivery of city services on Staten Island, and acts as a liaison between residents and city agencies when problems arise to devise solutions. The Borough President is also responsible for appointing one member to the Panel for Educational Policy and one member to the City Planning Commission, as well as some 150 members to Staten Island’s three community boards.
