Marshall Disapproves of Bayside Hills Development

There was a welcome answer by Borough Hall for a group of neighborhood preservationists yesterday. Borough President Helen Marshall would not be approving special permission to build what an outsized home in Bayside Hills, according to Chief of Staff Alexandra Rosa.

Rosa apologized that Marshall could not make the hearing on architect Paul Bonfilio’s plans to build a second house on the wide end of a trapezoid shaped lot at 50-20 216th St.

The proposed variance submitted by Bonfillio on behalf of landowner Denis Forde does not conform to the R2A zoning, and would require approval by the Board of Standards and Appeals.

Neighbors of the project believe the break in zoning standards would open the door to others wanting to build larger homes, to accommodate more than one family.

Asked who the property was for, Bonfillio said, “It’s for [the owner’s] daughter.”

back a member of the crowd; “How many daughters does he have?”

“The battle is not over yet – the fight continues and we will set the precedent for the future,” said Senator Tony Avella, D-Bayside.

“The footprint is very similar to existing houses, it’s a one family house, also architecturally similar without bulk variance and no illegal basement conversion,” said Bonfilio. He also said his building would be consistent with the neighborhood in every regard, including materials used.

Residents and elected officials weren’t satisfied with his explanation. Avella, who was a force behind the R2A designation in 2005, embraced the sentiment of the crowd when he said, “R2A was chosen to protect from over-development.”

“The house will not be in sync with the neighborhood,” said Community Board 11 Chair Jerry Iannece, adding “He’s asking to create a second structure!”

“Our community has fought hard against this type of overdevelopment and we will not allow greedy developers to alter the character of our neighborhood,” said Steve Behar, a trustee of the Bayside Historical Society.

Thursday’s public hearing is the last step before the Board of Standards and Appeals will make their final decision.