Community Corner

NYC Nabe of Capes, Tudors and Colonials Wants to Remain The Same

In a neighborhood where no new house has been built since World War II, neighbors fight to keep it that way.

"This has been my life," said architect Paul Bonfilio, while referring to the crowd of over 30 Northeast Queens residents who testified against his project before the Board of Standards and Appeals Tuesday.

Bonfilio was requesting special permission to build a home in Bayside Hills that neighbors say would be into a small lot, ruining the neighborhood's aesthetics, and taking away street parking. His plans have incurred the ire of a persistent crowd of through several , and in the press.

"Nobody has attempted to build a house here in over 80 years for a reason; there is simply not enough room to build one without infringing on the neighboring properties," wrote State Sen. Tony Avella in a letter to the board.  "Approving an application like this sets a dangerous precedent for the entire neighborhood and the City," he added.

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"Their culture of entitlement doesn't belong in any neighborhood in NYC," said Bonfilio associate Joe Farruggio, of the group of those against the project.

Faruggio also said that case precedent has already been set.

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Neighbors told the BSA that the new home would depart from the unique architecture of Bayside Hills homes, which were all developed by builder Alfred Gross on land that was once a golf course.

Built between World War I and World War II, the homes each have a slate roof, and are in the tudor, colonial or cape style.

"We must continue that battle against these developers," said Bayside Hills Civic Association President Michael Feiner, adding "or before we know it, our entire neighborhood would look ridiculous."

"No one should be forced to give up any piece of their private property for someone else's pleasure," Farruggio added, also saying, "It's private property; period. " 

To garner permission in the form of a "variance" from the BSA, Bonfilio must prove that existing zoning created a "hardship," on the owner. Council Member Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, testified that the owner of the home, Denis Forde, created his own hardship in buying the adjacent house, and subdividing the lot to build—while knowing that the standard zoning would not accommodate a second home.

Bonfilio was himself a member of the BSA 10 years ago, leaving some to wonder if that gave him an 'in' with current board members.

The architect testified that of 262 signatures to a BCHA petition against the project, 154 were from out of the area, from areas like New Jersey, the Bronx, New Hyde Park and Auburndale. 

Hedging an unfavorable decision, BHCA member David Goldstein threatened the board that the group would begin to vet political candidates by first asking, 'what's your position on BSA?'


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