Dear Editor,
Residents of Richmond Hill are opposing a move by New York City zoning officials to downzone the area making it difficult to expand one’s home or build large homes. This will prevent families from expanding their living space or having adequate space for worshipping in mandirs, masjids and churches.
A public hearing was held on Wednesday evening in Richmond Hill on the proposed rezoning of the Richmond Hill area. The Queens Zoning Board plans to downgrade the area making it virtually impossible to construct multi-dwelling units on certain blocks. The rezoning emphasizes keeping the one and two-family houses ending other multiple dwelling units that had existed prior to Guyanese settling in the area.
At the public forum, Guyanese spokespersons complained about the lack of interest shown in the proposals advanced by area residents for balanced development. Their proposals were not given consideration. This was the sixth in a series of meetings at which the Guyanese community expressed their dissent for the proposed changes. However, as community leaders complained on Wednesday evening, the zoning board has ignored their opposition to the downzoning of the area and has not included their suggestions on how to deal with the shortage of housing in the area among the growing immigrant population. It is felt that the area is downzoned primarily because of the changing faces in the community with the area losing its Italian and Irish dominance.
The public forum was organized by the Richmond Hill Economic Development Corporation led by activist Vishnu Mahadeo. This gentleman should be applauded for his work for he is one of the few who is taking on the battle to have fair zoning in the community and who is also an advocate for other rights for the community.
The community leaders at the forum expressed concerns that the proposed downzoning for the majority of properties in the area of focus will not allow exemptions for religious institutions. There are a dozen temples and a few masjids and churches serving the Guyanese community in the area. Vishnu Mahadeo told the planning representatives that the Guyanese community “is now evolving from the basement and house temples to the more established looking mandirs, mosques and gurdwaras.“
Other community advocates also spoke on the impact of the downzoning on the social and economic structure of Richmond Hill. Attorney Albert Baldeo lashed out at the zoning commissioners and leaders of District 9 for not respecting the views of Richmond Hill community leaders. Darmin Bachu, a lawyer and chairman of the RHEDC, said: “Immigrants want to move in here, and they want as much housing as they can get. They want to celebrate this place in large numbers, and the business community wants the highest zoning it can get.”
It is felt that the area should be upzoned to allow for high rise buildings to accommodate the growing population. The city stands to benefit with higher property tax if the area is rezoned and development is allowed. Speakers told the Board that rezoning should provide for much needed housing opportunities. It is noted that the downgrading will impact on investment and affect the surroundings of the area, taking away much needed jobs and space for community get-togethers.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
(FYI: The downzoning refers to the area south of Jamaica Avenue.)
Letter to editor from Staybroek News.
Now click the link above and read the responses from the Guyanese readership, who are almost unanimous in their support of the downzoning, citing reasons familiar to readers of this blog.
A sample:
"Most residents of Richmond Hill, including the many Indo-Caribbean home owners, are pleased with the proposed zoning. People are tired of the real estate agents building outsized, ugly homes all over the neighborhood and selling them for twice their value. The people who are raising objections are business owners (many of whom live in Jamaica Estates and Long Island), slumlords who own property in the area but don't live there and the uninformed --like Mr. Bisram."
Interesting, no?
21 comments:
real estate agents building outsized, ugly homes all over the neighborhood and selling them for twice their value.
I didn't know real estate agents became developers all of a sudden - I do know they try to get most $$ for seller - it's what they are hired for as an exclusive listings agent.
Check out the DOB violation status of the location for the Richmond Hill EDC at 127-21 Liberty Ave.
Again, a local rag takes the story being fed to them by a developer and runs with it.... meanwhile, they fail to even attempt to get the other side of the story (fortunately, the readers seem to have chimed in and supplied it to them).
What else is new?
Anyone remember when journalists went out and actually dug up their own facts???? Neither do i...
Things are not so happy in Roti Land,apparently.What will Uncle Eshri think at the next Phagwah Parade?
Ah, becareful for what you ask because in CB1 'downzone' meant changing a 7 story to a 6 story zone, then a 2 story gets torn down and an 10 story gets built in its place because of 'community facility.'
Many real estate agents double as developers. They buy property, build and flip. Especially in that area.
I left Richmond Hill in 1986.
Moved on up to Middle Village.
Let them "Guyanese" have it. The area is destroyed already. Let them live with each other and learn to take care of their own neighborhood.
N.Y.C. and the rest of N.Y. will be a very different place in another 50 years. N.Y.C. is in constant change due to immigration.
Funny how this information never seems to make it to western Queens - and when the usual chorus rants about the benefits of development everyone keeps their mouths shut.
Real state agents doubling as landlords and developers seems to be the new trend.
Even out in Manhasset 3 real estate agency's now own 1/2 the commercial property along Plandome Road.
They are slumlords who never for-fill promises to replace cesspools costing tenants & restaurants thousand of $$ a month in pump out fees.
Highest rents in the country for crap--Literally CRAP!
These crooks keep shady lawyers on retainer to F_ with people and cost the township money with zoning and building battles too.
A popular Real Estate company recently got their hands on the old Borden Dairy milk building (at the LIRR station)and jacked 5 Starr Limo's rent to $68,000 a month.
It put Nick out of business.
These greedy bastards will then cry hardship "we cant rent it" Next comes a re-zone battle VS a 300+ unit glass and chrome barracks next to the train station. ---just like they did in Great Neck.
Vishnu Mahadeo and his economic development council are as phony as a 3 dollar bill.
The RH real estate cartel wreaked havoc now Mahadeo is trying to milk out money for blighted areas from public funds.
Moved to Richmond Hill/Ozone Pk. The thing is it would be great if the community built in a manner with responsibility to functionality, aesthetics, requirement. Half of the builds are exactly what all the posts are - poorly built slumlord dwellings. And those who build them never live there - ever. Would love to see this neighborhood go back to what it used to be - - - and for the record being where we are today I am not white so this is not a biased posting either.
You will note that the Staybroek News has taken down all the comments pointing out the actual views of the Richmond Hill residents under their "we reserve the right to" police their own site!
Take a look at the monstrosity someone is building on 113st just south of Liberty avenue where a one family home once sat! Downsize now!
The 2 Vishnus - Bisram & Mahadeo may think Richmond Hill is an enclave of only Indo-Guyanese, but there are many non-Guyanese of all races.
Actually, the comments are still there. It may take a few seconds for them to load based on what browser you're using.
left Richmond Hill in 1986.
Moved on up to Middle Village.
Let them "Guyanese" have it. The area is destroyed already. Let them live with each other and learn to take care of their own neighborhood.
N.Y.C. and the rest of N.Y. will be a very different place in another 50 years. N.Y.C. is in constant change due to immigration.
50 years ?
It has already happened the the state along with the northeast is shot, people like you have just come to accept it.
Why is Mr Vishnu being prejudice toward other immigrants? Richmond Hill has always been made up of immigrant families. What sets him apart? What we should be discussing as a culture that has always been immigrating here is the healthiest environment to evolve in. We should learn to live without overcrowding and abusing the surrounding area - as a group of immigrants and children of immigrants we should stand together and appreciate and protect what opportunities Richmond Hill has to offer all nationalities- nature and community. Over populating it will kill off both - fortunes can be found in many different forms Mr Vishnu - there are many other places to find money for the sake of money (if it really were places of worship you were concerned about you wouldn't be looking to destroy an area for the sake of the businesses)
Not to forget Ravi Persaud and family, Shane Ramsunda and family who was trained by the famous Uncle Lou Kali Priest at 107-34 Inwood St, Motilall, Betty Petters, Richard James and recently Amar Singh. Lewis Pancham is and his son in law Davendranath Sukhu is the cause of Richmond Hill getting rezoing. They create Kali Temples in basement and the back yard of their homes and are using the Kali Temples to get their victims. Both Panchan and Sukhu perform Voodoo Spells and break up many marriages. They take people husbands and use them as slaves in their Kali Temple. Pancham sleeps with young women in the Kali Temple after breaking their marriages. He will tell the women Kali Ma told him to sleep with them. Shut them do. Sukhu and Pancham are breaking too many homes in Richmond Deport them with their Kali Temple back to Guyana. Judge Kenneth Holder is right they can do this in their country. Only in the USA.
Baldeo charges $5.00 to notarized a 1 page document. Shame on you. “Say you are going to use it to buy a dhall Purie. How this was in the year 1998. At that time it was just $2.00 to notarized a document. However, he is no better than Ravi Persaud, Peggy Persaud and the Shane Ramsundar. I was wondering is Vishnu Mahadeo and Vishnu Bisram realated to Ravi Persaud?
Trinidad Guardian) An invasion of Guyanese farmers in the food basket of Aranguez is stirring up a hornet’s nest among local farmers who claim they are forced to pay exorbitant rent for agricultural lands and are being denied a livelihood, the result of the outsiders’ presence. The complaint was levelled by a group of Aranguez farmers last week, who clamoured for approximately 40 Guyanese farmers, many of whom are said to be illegal immigrants to go back home. There are approximately 300 bona fide farmers in Aranguez supplying crops to the nation. Aranguez farmer Ravin Doolam admits they have been facing no end of worry at the hands of the Guyanese. They bully even the people in Trinidad. Nahadeo say he have a 1000 people to support him. Be advused they are all family related with a couple of good friend who owned 90 percent of Richmond Hill and Ozone Park. Most of the Area on the down zone area is all family related that is why they called it little Guyana. Every man woman and child have a house. There bread is butter with the American dollars
SORRY FOR RAVI PERSAUD,S ALLY, LALITA PERSAUD, INDRANI PERSAUD, JAIGOBIN LALLMAN, LEWIS PANCHAM, LILOWTIE MOTILALL, KABIR DASS, RICHARD JAMES FAMILY, PARAY FAMILY, RAVI RIGHT HAND OMARDAND, SANTA AND DAVE SUKHU AND ALL THE KALI TEMPLE THEY BRANCH OUT TO IN THE BACK YARD IN BASEMENT. I AM SO GLAD TEHY ARE GETTING REZONING THEY LIKE TO BULLY INNOCENT PEOPLE . THEY HAVE TOO MUCH POWER. THEY OWNS MUCH OF RICHMOND SO THEY WANT TO MAKE THE RULES. GO BACK TO BLACK BUSH IN GUYANA AND LOOK FOR THE HIGH ZONEING AND LAY OUT YOUR RULES FOR YOUR PRESIDENT. YOU ALL DID ENOUGH IN NYC.
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