The low-lying south Queens communities of Old Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, and Broad Channel are vulnerable to tidal flooding today, and the conditions are only expected to worsen with projected sea level rise, according to the Department of City Planning, which presented current planning initiatives and priorities for Queens on Monday at a joint meeting of the Borough Board and Cabinet at Borough Hall.
However, particularly in Old Howard, DCP has indicated that it is possible to maintain a strong neighborhood “by supporting resilient retrofits and through investments in street-end infrastructure upgrades.”
Hamilton Beach and Broad Channel are far more challenging, DCP noted. A lack of infrastructure solutions presents obstacles to mitigating the impacts of sea level rise.
The unique built environment of Hamilton Beach and Broad Channel – narrow lots, and narrow, low-lying streets – pose challenges for resilient retrofitting and reconstruction. Existing R2, R3-1, and R3-2 Zoning Districts do not account for narrow lot frontage in the residential areas of these communities, DCP noted. Additionally, new, higher flood elevations present physical and economic challenges to the two commercial corridors: Cross Bay Boulevard and Coleman Square.
However, City Planning pointed out that there are opportunities to identify changes to zoning, both in residential areas and business corridors; to maintain neighborhood character, facilitate customer access to businesses, and enable resilient retrofits and building.
5 comments:
Changes in zoning are not the answer. That neighborhood is already R3 and R2. Infrastructure is the answer and the city has never done what's necessary and most likely never will. A few blocks of seawall or bulkhead is the answer. DUH. Stop studying and start building.
It's funny how a lot of these floods tend to happen in areas that were marshy areas and had streams. I hope that those in City offices understand that in an area so close to the water this is to be expected. I would hope they would stop blaming and build the necessary infrastructure to curtail this flooding. No need to reinvent the wheel I say, as anon pointed this out.
No one wants seawalls blocking their water access or view. That is the level of what we are talking about.
NO one should be living in Broad Channel. Years ago this was city owned land that the residents leased. It contained mostly summer bungalows. Residents made a big stink about being able to own the land. They knew it flooded when they bought it. We need to stop building in low lying areas. They flood now and they have always flooded and will flood in the future. It is not a crime to leave land in NYC undeveloped. The water needs some place it can go and be absorbed when it rains. We need more green space in these areas by the water. They can flood and no damage will be done to houses.
There has to be a report or a interactive graphic chart somewhere on the water level rise in Jamaica Bay. Because I remember the bridges, vehicle and transit, seemed much higher 30 years ago.
I know people worked their whole lives to buy houses in Howard Beach and Broad Channel, but as Sandy proved, and if the flooding of cross bay blvd that evening which turned it into the Nile wasn't an indication, it's 2 minutes to midnight for those areas.
There needs to be seawalls built, same with rockaway too. But if people would rather have views and surfing, well you reap what you sow.
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