What's the real plan for the Klein Farm?

From the Queens Chronicle:

Area civic leaders remain concerned about the future of the Klein farm property in Fresh Meadows following its recent sale to a convicted felon who illegally tore down trees on the protected site.

Ziming Shen of Manhattan, who runs a preschool on the historic Klein property at 194-15 73 Ave., remains under house arrest for stealing funds designated for poor children’s lunches from his chain of Red Apple preschools.

Although Shen was hauled into court in May for not meeting his obligation of paying the $5.2 million judgment against him, he bought the Klein property a month later for $5.6 million and got a $1.45 million mortgage, according to the city’s Department of Finance records.

Shen had been renting the property under a six-year lease for the preschool from another convicted felon, Thomas Huang, who bought it in 2003 for $4.3 million as part of his now-defunct Audrey Realty.

Huang had wanted to build 22 two-family houses or 18 dwellings, but both plans failed since the site is located in a special planned community preservation district.

Last year, Shen illegally destroyed several mature trees on the property and illegally constructed a driveway. He was fined $1,600. Since then, the trees have not been replaced and the front yard on the 2.5-acre site has been neglected.

Preschool classes are now held in an adjacent house on the property. In the past, the large brick farmhouse was used for the school.

Area civic activists, who for years have wanted the property converted to public use as a farm museum or similar institution, are puzzled by the recent high-priced purchase since Shen will be unable to develop the property.

Klein Farm finally sold

From the Times Ledger:

Fresh Meadows’ Klein Farm has been sold to tenants who recently accepted responsibility for illegally cutting down trees on the historic property.

Ziming Shen’s Fresh Meadows Children’s Farm LLC bought the farm, at 194-15 73rd Ave., last week for $5.6 million from Audrey Realty Corp., a firm headed by Henry Huang, son of notorious developer Thomas Huang.

Shen was hit with $1,600 in fines by the city after his daycare center, Preschool for America, which leased the farm, altered the driveway and cut down trees without the necessary permits.

The farm sits in the Fresh Meadows Special Planned Community Preservation District, meaning any significant changes to the property have to be approved by the City Planning Commission.

Outraged neighbors and community leaders first noticed the trees being cut down last fall and reported the arborcide to the city Department of Buildings.

The property was the borough’s last family-owned, working farm before the Huangs bought it in 2003 for $4.3 million. They then unsuccessfully tried to develop the farm into 22 two-family homes.

Neither Huang nor Shen returned requests for comment.

Klein Farm tenant takes responsibility for arboricide

From the Times Ledger:

Tenants of the historic Klein farm in Fresh Meadows accepted responsibility for cutting down trees and altering the driveway of the property without permits at a hearing Tuesday.

A stop-work order and a violation had been issued to the property’s owner, Audrey Realty, by the city Department of Buildings in December for “illegal tree removal, work without a permit” and “substantial modification of existing landscaping in a special district,” according to the DOB.

Ziming Shen, who owns the Preschool of America that occupies the farm, at 194-15 73rd Ave., attended the Environmental Control Board hearing instead of the property’s owner, Henry Huang, son of notorious Queens developer Thomas Huang.

Shen acknowledged that at least two trees had been cut down and the driveway had been altered, but insisted it was to ensure the safety of the children who attended the facility.

“We tried to do our best. We don’t know exactly what kind of special zoning it is,” he said. “We want to provide a safe environment for our children and parents.”

It was not known how many trees were removed.

The Klein farm, Queens’ last family-owned working farm, sits in the Fresh Meadows Special Planned Community Preservation District, meaning no substantial changes can be made to the property without the consent of the City Planning Commission.

Shen contended the trees were cut down because of damage Superstorm Sandy had caused and because one tree was hollow inside and infested with raccoons.

One of Shen’s employees, Stephanie Zhu, gave testimony at the hearing and said she tried to get in touch with city agencies to get permission to cut down the trees at the direction of Shen’s wife, Joanne Fan.

She claimed she spoke to someone at DOB on the phone as well as the city Parks Department, who told her she did not need their permission. She said she also sent letters to the two agencies requesting permission to cut down the trees. She said she did not follow up in person, but received an e-mail response from a Parks official.

But she did not attempt to contact the City Planning Commission, which would be the proper authority to contact, said Vivian Currie, the attorney representing DOB.

Good luck collecting fines

From the Times Ledger:

A Huang family company that racked up city Department of Buildings violations in December for allegedly cutting down trees on a protected property in Fresh Meadows has not been a registered business since 2009, according to Department of State records.

Audrey Realty Corp., headed by Henry Huang, son of notorious developer Thomas Huang, was dissolved in 2009 because it did not pay its taxes, DOS spokesman Laz Benitez said.

“The entity in question was dissolved by proclamation as they failed to pay taxes and are no longer registered with the Department of State, thus they cannot operate as a business entity,” Benitez said.

Audrey Realty is listed as the owner of the historic Fresh Meadows Klein Farm, at 194-15 73rd Ave., on the property’s deed.

Audrey Realty is due to appear in court Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 for the violations at the Queens Business Center in Jamaica, at 144-06 94th Ave.

An Environmental Control Board judge will rule on the violations and the company could face up to a total of $20,000 in fines, according to ECB.

If Audrey Realty fails to attend the hearings, it could be found in violation and given a penalty five times higher than the standard amount imposed, said DOB spokeswoman Kelly Magee.

“If the property owner fails to correct the violations and pay the associated fines, then the violation remains open and increased penalties may be assessed,” she said.

Henry Huang did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Benitez said a corporation that has been dissolved is still allowed to own property while it is going through a “winding up” phase, which could take years.

Huang fined for Klein Farm tree massacre

From the Queens Chronicle:

Summonses have been issued to Audrey Realty Corp., owners of Klein farm at 194-15 73 Ave., for two separate violations following the illegal removal of trees.

According to the Department of Buildings, the first hearing, which will be held at the Queens Business Center at 144-06 94 Ave. in Jamaica, is set for Jan. 28 and addresses a violation for working without a permit, citing the illegal tree removal and extension of a driveway. The standard fine is for $800 with a default of $4,000.

The second hearing, which is for a zoning violation for modification of the landscape, is scheduled for Feb. 4. An $800 fine is also set with a default of $4,000. Both hearings can be avoided if the owners admit to the violations and pay the fines by Jan. 21 and Jan. 27, respectively.

Huang on the hook for replacing mature trees?

From the Queens Chronicle:

The Department of Buildings and the city Planning Commission decided this week that removal of trees in a Fresh Meadows Special Planned Community Preservation District constitutes substantial modification.

The word “substantial” had been debated for a week before the DOB took action against the owner of the former Klein farm for cutting down several large shade trees on the 2.5-acre property at 194-15 73 Ave.

An Environmental Control Board violation was issued Wednesday for the significant modification of an existing landscape at the site in violation of zoning, according to DOB spokeswoman Kelly Magee. The ticket cites illegal removal of trees.

No date has been set for the ECB hearing and possible fines were expected to be determined later this week.

The site is owned by Audrey Realty, a firm of convicted developer Thomas Huang. Henry Huang, his son, denied knowledge of the tree removal last week.

Marie Adam Ovide, Community Board 8 district manager, said Huang may be forced to plant large trees to replace those felled.

Huang will get away with it because DOB and CPC are fighting

From the Queens Chronicle:

Aside from strong community resistance, the projects could not be implemented because the property is in the Fresh Meadows Special Planned Community Preservation District.

No changes can be made in the district without approval from the city Planning Commission. Then, the developer must also go through a lengthy and expensive Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

A spokesman for the CPC deferred to the Department of Buildings, which enforces illegal changes made in a special district.

According to the DOB website there are three complaints that have not yet been resolved. They deal with illegal removal of the trees and expansion of the driveway with permits. A DOB spokesman was unable to answer why a fine has not been issued to Audrey Realty, an arm of Huang’s operation.

But Florence Fisher, president of the Mid Queens Community Council and a member of Community Board 8, said she was informed that no action has been taken because the DOB and CPC are arguing over the meaning of “substantial changes” to the property. “Trees give off oxygen and we need them,” Fisher said, adding that it’s time for the city to make an amendment to the law and include trees.

Klein Farm stripped of trees

Here is what the Klein Farm property in Fresh Meadows looked like last summer. Notice the trees next to both driveways:




The DOB listing for the Klein Farm clearly states that it is in a special planned community preservation district.

In such a district, the following applies:


Here's what the farm looks like now:


DOB was notified when the tree-cutting was happening, but they didn't see a problem.

I guess this falling-down gate is also acceptable.

What a joke. The Huangs strike again!

Klein Farm still in the wrong hands

From the Times Ledger:

Klein Farm, one of the last family-owned, working farms in Queens until 2001, is still owned by a company connected to the notorious developer Tommy Huang despite reports several years ago that the firm was preparing to sell the property.

The story last left off with Huang trying to sell the property and ordering a day-care center that was previously operating there to vacate in 2009.

But it appears that never happened, leaving Audrey Realty’s intentions for the farm a question mark.

“Nothing’s going to happen [there] while I’m the city councilman,” Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) said recently, “unless it’s what the community wants.”

He said the owner has been quiet in recent years and Klein Farm seems to have fallen off the radar, but he remains committed to protecting the property should it come into question in the future.

Phone calls to Henry Huang were not returned.

Klein Farm will be vacated by day care center

From the Daily News:

Li Chen, the owner of Apple Tree Day Care, will vacate the property, owned by Tommy Huang's company, Audrey Realty, by the end of November - three months before her two-year lease expires.

Huang had been pushing Chen to leave the property since April. The deal came before a judge was set to make a final decision on the case in Queens Civil Court.

Under the agreement, Chen will not have to pay rent for three months prior to her leaving the 2-acre property on 73rd Ave. She plans to reopen her day care center in Bayside by December, she said.

Huang is in negotiations with Robert Frischman, president of JDF Realty, to sell the property - a deal that couldn't close as long as Chen was still a tenant, Lin said.

Frischman represents the Fresh Meadows Jewish Development LLC, which plans to buy the property for $5.6million, according to Audrey Realty's statements to Chen.

Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) wrote a letter to Frischman late last month, pointing out that the city Planning Commission must approve new development on the site because of zoning restrictions.

Altering the property in any way would require a special permit, Weprin noted.

Frischman said his client did not plan to develop the site, according to Weprin.

Bloomberg: "We can't do everything (so let's do nothing)"

From the Queens Tribune:

Bloomberg discussed some development issues brought up in Queens, specifically Klein Farm in Fresh Meadows and St. Saviour's Church in Maspeth, both of which have been turned down by or ignored by the City for assistance in preserving the bucolic and historic nature of the sites.

"The Parks Department just does not have the money," Bloomberg said. "There is a fiscal reality here. We probably built more in parks than any administration in modern day. You'd love to do anything, but you can't do everything. You cannot turn every piece of ground in the city into a park; you can't turn every road into a bike lane - although there's a constituency for it- there's an overall concept that we want more parks. If an area is woefully underserved then we have to focus resources, but we are going into a very tough time economically."

Well, Bloomberg's own Parks Department agreed that Maspeth is "woefully underserved" but that didn't seem to persuade Mr. Mayor.

Now, if money is the only issue preventing him from acquiring more parks, why hasn't he gone along when council members and borough presidents have kicked in most of the cash? This is the guy who says that now is the time to plan for the future, recession be damned. With a million more people coming to the city by 2030, isn't the time to plan for adequate open space now?

Day-care center owner tells Huang to kiss her ass

From the Daily News:

A day-care center is refusing to leave the Klein Farm, a 2-acre property on 73rd Ave., despite an eviction notice from the landlord, Audrey Realty, owned by Tommy Huang.

Li Chen, owner of Apple Tree Day Care, refused to vacate the Klein Farm by her June 30 eviction date. The case went to Civil Court on Thursday but a final decision was adjourned to Sept. 10.

Chen's two-year lease, which began in March 2008, states the only reason she can be kicked out before the lease ends is if the property is sold, said her attorney, Yi Lin.

"So far, [Huang] has failed to present a copy of the contract of sale," Lin said.

Huang's company would only tell Chen that a synagogue purchased the property for $5.6 million, Lin said.

The synagogue is said to be looking to build a community center on the land. The Queens County Farm Museum has previously expressed interest in establishing an annex there.

City records indicate Audrey Realty is the current property owner. Craig Zim, a lawyer for Audrey Realty, declined to provide details on the case or the status of the property.

Photo from Forgotten-NY.

Tommy Huang: "Klein Farm sold"

Over the holiday weekend, NY1 reported that the day care center operating out of the Klein Farm was told to leave the premises by Audrey Realty because the property had been sold. This report apparently isn't online yet; if and when it is posted, I will link to it. However, I did check the DOB and ACRIS sites and found nothing new for the site located at 194-15 73rd Avenue in Fresh Meadows. There is still an outstanding violation from 2007 that apparently has neither been corrected nor its fine paid.

Here's the Times Ledger's story about the Klein Farm.

Will it ever end?

The never ending saga. Tommy Huang’s project at 39-39 223rd Street and Mia Drive is far from complete. Construction began at the beginning of 2003. Here it is March 2008 and it appears to be in shambles. His construction permits expired a long time ago. In addition, the neighborhood was downzoned back in 2005. Unquestionably, there must be some serious DOB objections that need to be addressed. They still remain a secret to the public. It was said back in August 2007 that Mr. Huang would take the issues up at the BSA. It seems that he has not exercised that option yet.

The project has long been an eyesore. Lately, it appears that the property has fallen prey to vandals and graffiti artists which is visible from the Cross Island Expressway. The private road/mapped street is still not structured.

Even thought the permits have been revoked and the project is on “hold”, the DOB now sees fit to issue a Rescind of the Stop Work Order in effect to allow a PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE ORDER to enable the developer to fix the fences and make the site safe. The fences and site have been unsafe from day one. It seems that the DOB believes that the developer is warranted a month to accomplish this. As buildings are falling down around us, it is surprising that the DOB has concerns about the safety issues here.

Will the developer seize the opportunity to remove all the graffiti from the house facing the Cross Island Parkway? Will the developer clean up the entire project to ready it for Spring marketing while he’s at it? Good Choice Realty who is marketing the Klein Farm is also featuring one of these houses for $1,390,000.

The developer created this unsafe situation and the DOB enabled it. Will the DOB make sure that the proper insurances are in place? Will the DOB see to it that no additional work (not covered by this partial lift) will take place?

- anonymous

Huang hocking Klein farm for $5.5M

Developer Tommy Huang bought Klein Farm in 2004 amid public outcry against his plans to build private houses on the land. He has been unable to do much with the 61,000-square-foot property because it is located in a preservation district that prevents building or alterations to the structure.

Huang looks to sell Klein Farm for $5M

The listing broker, Joann Lee, president of Good Choice Realty in Great Neck, is asking $5.5 million for the property. She said Tuesday that the farm had been listed for sale "not long ago."

As far as whether there has been interest in the farm from potential buyers, Lee said, "not yet."

The asking price could be a hurdle for some buyers.

"There's been some talk in the community about getting the city to buy it, but it's just not feasible" with budget cuts in place, said Christina Katsanos, chief of staff to City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis).

Really? How are we going to break the news to Helen Marshall that there is no money in the budget for purchase of farm property?

Photo from Forgotten NY

QCC says open space must be preserved

Joint Statement from the Queens Civic Congress and Queens Coalition for Parks & Green Spaces

"New York City must work to preserve its historic natural areas; these historic settings must receive much the same treatment as historical landmarks. The destruction or loss of any natural areas negatively impacts the quality of life for the surrounding communities bordering these green spaces. It flies in the face of what City Hall advocates for parks and preservation in PlaNYC.

Ridgewood Reservoir should be preserved as such and the monies (some $46 million) to destroy this green area's natural settings should be re-allocated to purchases to preserve other threatened historical natural areas which also include historical structures -- such as St. Saviour's, the Klein Farm, Iris Hill and the former Cornell Farm. What we destroy today cannot be restored tomorrow.

City Hall needs to take a hard look and re-evaluate what needs to be done to preserve natural areas before they cease to exist. This includes re-thinking any plans that threaten natural parks and historic settings such as Ridgewood Reservoir, St. Saviour's, the Klein Farm, Iris Hill and the former Cornell Farm."

Concerns About the Ridgewood Reservoir

Dear Editor:

The Ridgewood Reservoir is an area on the Queens Brooklyn border by Highland Park that the Parks Department and the City would like to develop into recreational space. The problem, however, is that it would mean acres of trees would have to be cut down.

How ironic that would be! The City, in conjunction with the Parks Department wants to plant one million trees throughout the city for health and ecological benefits. Yet in this pristine area, they are willing to sacrifice hundreds of trees to put down astro turf and the like. In the meantime, there are many ball fields and other recreational spaces around the city that already exist and are in need of improvement. Some of those areas are even near the Ridgewood Reservoir. Shouldn’t some of the money that would be allocated for this project be better used to repair what already exists?

It is not only the trees at stake at the Ridgewood Reservoir site. The area is an oasis for birds. Over one hundred types of migratory birds have been identified there. Many of those nest there as well. It is an ideal habitat for birds and other types of wildlife.

The Ridgewood Reservoir was used as a backup water supply for Queens and Brooklyn into the 1960’s. It was made up of three basins. Two of those three water areas subsequently became reforested in the typical way that land changes over time in nature. That process is known as succession and this particular site is on its way to becoming a full fledged Eastern Forest. Why interrupt this urban forest by cutting down trees?

My understanding is that the City and Parks department are planning on spending anywhere from 46 million to 55 million dollars on this project, depending on the sources. That money should be spend on improving existing recreational areas and purchasing additional parcels of land to be used for open space and park uses.

In Queens, many concerned citizens urge the purchase of several parcels including the St. Saviour’s church property in Maspeth, the Klein Farm in Fresh Meadows and the Iris Hill wooded property in Bellerose. Other parcels are available as well and all of this land should be used for green areas for the public.

According to the Mayor, one million more residents are expected in the City by 2030. It is difficult to figure where everyone will live given the overdevelopment, infrastructure, and flooding problems that we are already facing today. Where will everyone go to relax and enjoy nature? Where will our children play? It is time to plan ahead and think of the future. We must buy open space in the city to meet those needs and we also have to preserve land that is environmentally sensitive like the Ridgewood Reservoir area.

Sincerely,
Henry Euler
Bayside

Yes, they are being serious

More proposed landmarks not in Queens. This is 511-513 Grand Street in Manhattan. Despite having been heavily altered, LPC believes they are important examples of federal style architecture and must be designated.
And here is part of the ugly former Eberhard Faber Pencil factory in Brooklyn. This is a proposed historic district. Got plenty of these types of buildings in LIC and no one is calling for them to be saved.

Yes, let's save this crap while we allow St. Saviour's, the Klein Farm, the Trylon Theater, Old Astoria and Richmond Hill to be jackhammered into oblivion.

Time to overturn the landmarks law.

Photos from LPC.

News from Nassau

The NY Times examines overdevelopment in Nassau County, which sounds an awful lot like overdevelopment in parts of Queens County:

“There used to be a charming little house here on a heavily wooded lot, with pepperidge and cedar and some beech trees,” said Kevin Kobs, a longtime resident of the neighborhood who stopped to watch the last stages of the clearing and grading of a lot bought by a home builder last year. “They tore down the house, ripped out the trees, and now they’re going to put up one of these, these ...[pieces of Queens Crap!]”

Views Clash Among Neighbors as Builders Destroy Old for New

Photo from NY Times

Meanwhile, Nassau County has purchased Meyer's Farm in Woodbury, saving it from development:

Aid sews up future for farm

Similarly, the Klein Farm in Fresh Meadows would be a good buy for NYC.

Photo from Hours of Darkness

The ultimate slap in the face

Look at this housing project. Pretty hideous, would you agree? Well guess what? It's landmarked! Yes, in his first year as Chair of the LPC, Robert Tierney, with aid and comfort from the city council and the mayor, oversaw the designation of this "East" Williamsburg complex. It's probably just a matter of time before they are converted into "luxury condos." Yet the Trylon Theater, Klein Farm, St. Saviour's and Richmond Hill have all gotten the thumbs down. If they had been in hipster nabes earmarked for yuppie invasions, maybe they would be preserved, too. However, they're in neighborhoods redlined for Fedders overdevelopment, so it's tough luck on them. Thank you to Forgotten-NY for bringing this ridiculous abuse of the landmarks law to our attention. Can't wait to see what you reveal in part 2. The official excuses for landmarking these are as follows:



Photos from Forgotten-NY