Tuesday, December 15, 2015

"Temporary" storage container a long time eyesore

"Does anyone know who oversees the placement and use of storage "PODS" on private residential property? Common sense would say that it would be the DOB, but they refused to accept the complaint. I then attempted to place a request through the online 311 system, and when I checked the address on the DOB BIS system, it was showing up as an "illegal construction" complaint. Just wonderful.

Believe it or not, DOB inspected, and while they indicated no illegal construction, they did note the POD and also indicated that it was out of DOB's "jurisdiction and code."

Really? You can't place a storage shed in your backyard over a certain size without a permit, yet you can dump a storage POD on your front lawn for 5-6 months with no repercussions?

(The photo on 88th Ave in Bellerose was taken several months ago. After a complaint to the storage company that it was partially blocking the sidewalk, they moved it a few feet. That was over four months ago.)" - Anonymous

25 comments:

Joe Moretti said...

Those things are GHETTO when put in the front yard. If you are going to have them, at least put them in the backyard and not the front.

Why not just add a washing machine, a leather sofa and a car up on blocks to create the full effect ghetto trash.

(sarc) said...

Probably a fixed up studio in the pod being rented on AirBnB...

Anonymous said...

Wonder what is really being stored inside.

Anonymous said...

Selective enforcement of rules and regulations.
Welcome to NY!

Anonymous said...

The stupidity never ends, it seems. People must stay up late at night just trying to think up ways to destroy neighborhoods. Maybe it's the North Koreans, or ISIS!

Anonymous said...

It's a gray area. If it is being used for storage then it would be in DOB's purview as a non-permissible front yard obstruction temporary or not. If it is being used for refuse then you could try DEP and say it constitutes dumping, since rubbish containers are generally not something DOB will go to bat for. When you call in the complaint I would describe it as a shed. I would also take time stamped photos and maybe bring it up with the community board.
-somethingstructural

Crusseau said...

How can they say it's 10yds outside of their jurisdiction. It's well within 30 feet of the house. Maybe they figure everyone is like them and can't do simple math.
Since it was moved, is it now even closer?

Anonymous said...

Until you have the sense to contact your elected official to do something, don't bother the rest of us with this. We cannot do anything until you do so.

They, on the other hand, have a sworn duty to uphold the law and make the agencies do their work. Also write letters to the paper and demand they print them.

AFTER THAT, contact Crappy and us.

Joe Moretti said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Until you have the sense to contact your elected official to do something, don't bother the rest of us with this. We cannot do anything until you do so.
---------------------
PLEASE, you know how many people contact their asshole elected officials on issues and not a damn thing gets done.

The fucking system here in NYC is broken and corrupt.

Anonymous said...

Enough of you whiners!

You don't think I would be so stupid as to cook up my meth in the house do you?

Anonymous said...

HOW MUCH DO THESE THINGS COST VS. REAL STORAGE?

Rick D said...

1. The property is owned by a hoarder, who is in the middle of a divorce.

2. The wife, who lives elsewhere, had the POD dropped on the front lawn, then a fight with the hubby ensued.

3. The house is in pre-foreclosure.

4. A letter to Derek Lee of the D.O.B. was sent by Tony Avella on November 13, no response as of yesterday.

5. Chris, the "10 yards" refers to the approximate size of the unit, like a dumpster size, I believe.

6. I'm wondering if the owner is powerless to have the unit removed by calling the storage company, since it wasn't ordered by him? Assuming he wanted to, I mean.

Anonymous said...

Call the FDNY the POD is a fire safety issue,it blocks the Fire Hydrant
15 Foot Rule,a firefighter could lose his Life because it blocks windows needed for escape,rescue and water pumper operation.

Anonymous said...

Call the FDNY the POD is a fire safety issue,it blocks the Fire Hydrant
15 Foot Rule,a firefighter could lose his Life because it blocks windows needed for escape,rescue and water pumper operation.

Anonymous said...

Where is the FDNY?

Anonymous said...

But again, IF we do anything (and the public seems sporadic at best) we do not know how to milk these situations to maximize publicity to condemn our broken system.

Calls to electeds tallied, copies to letters to the editors and community board kept, so that even when you are ignored (and in Queens more than anywhere else those that do not follow the script is ignored by both the pols and press), you have ammunition.

USE IT! Send to Crappy. Drop names. Only then you can inspire someone else to do the same. Drop by drop you get a flood.

Right now you are stuck pushing the light at the intersection and nothing happens (i e calling 311) or making some half assed effort at publicity and backing down.

That does not work!

Anonymous said...

I live in the neighborhood and have tried to contact the city about another issue (illegal basement mosque). It would be nice to call the FDNY. I tried but there is no number. You must call 311. I then drove to the firehouse and asked to speak to someone. And was told to call 311. 311 does not take these kinds of complaints. They file it under DoB.

When I was growing up in Ridgewood, the FDNY used to come every summer and check the buildings to make sure that there was unobstructed access to the front door, rooftop access, and both front and back doors to all railroad apartments. During this time we would also get to talk to the firefighters and they were really clear about fire safety and coding. It made it so that we were safe, knew our firefighters, and it really felt like a community.

Thats How Its Done Son said...

I live in the neighborhood and have tried to contact the city about another issue (illegal basement mosque). It would be nice to call the FDNY. I tried but there is no number. You must call 311. I then drove to the firehouse and asked to speak to someone. And was told to call 311. 311 does not take these kinds of complaints. They file it under DoB.


HOW MANY TIMES TO WE HAVE TO READ STUFF LIKE THIS ON THIS BLOG. DOES ANYONE LISTEN OR THINK?

Call your electeds, send a note to the press and community board, don't spend much time on these efforts as you WILL get ignored or a runaround, then post here naming names and telling everyone they are full of crap.

Then when its election time and they are talking to the old ladies and church groups, show up and tell everyone THEY ARE FULL OF SHIT.

THATS HOW ITS DONE SON. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1cTx72zZkA

Anonymous said...

Once these show up, it is a sign that what was once a nice neighborhood is beginning to go to shit. Time to move. I guess that's life.

Anonymous said...

Once these show up, it is a sign that what was once a nice neighborhood is beginning to go to shit. Time to move. I guess that's life.

So which pol do you work for, Mr Apologist for Bullshit?

Anonymous said...

Go to FDNY home page and email Daniel Nigro directly,overload his email in the top right hand corner,his site says he will get back to you and he does,I've emailed him on other issues,if he sends back info,post it,
MR Nigro is a good man and grew up in Bayside.

Anonymous said...

Go to FDNY home page and email Daniel Nigro directly,overload his email in the top right hand corner,his site says he will get back to you and he does,I've emailed him on other issues,if he sends back info,post it,
MR Nigro is a good man and grew up in Bayside.

Roger said...

I used one a POD in another state, and I bought a permit from the city for $100 so I could park it for (I think) 24 hours. You rent PODs to either move house or to put your stuff in storage. They bring the POD, you fill it, and they take it away to either store or deliver to your new place. I can't think why one would sit somewhere indefinitely.

Rick D said...

UPDATE 12/21/15:

The Department of Buildings reversed course and issued a violation for "front lawn obstruction not permitted.":

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=2&vlcompdetlkey=0001920968

Crusseau said...

Unless, and I don't see how, the rent on the unit is paid up, I'm sure POD would like it back. Maybe a call to them telling them it's abandoned and likely to be vandalized would get them to come pick up thier property.