They destroyed paradise to put this up

Followup on previous Queens Crap post from 2014.

Above photo was before. Bottom photo is now.

You can judge for yourself whether or not this improves the neighborhood the way the alleged owner claimed he would in the comments section last time around.

Behold the most beautiful yard you've ever seen!

You may remember this post from 2014 regarding the property located on 60th Drive in Maspeth. I was told at the time to wait until the owner was done because it would be the nicest yard we've ever seen. Well, here you go. That's a humdinger of a horizontal enlargement.

It's a good thing I'm getting my allergy shots what with all that green on the property!

How many garages does one family need?

Ciafones dabbling in dead storage

44-19 Broadway, Astoria. You may recall this property from a previous post that noted that Gina Argento owes $30K in fines on it.

It also still has a stop work order on it.

But there's something I forgot to mention last time.

The used car parking lot/dead storage in the yard next to it, also owned by Gina.

Step right up, folks. Johnny Ciafone will give you a great deal!

Is there a blade of grass that the Buks won't pave over?

Hi Crappy,

I wrote to you some time ago about the trash problem in KGH, now I have this. This "construction" work started last week in the side yard of a semi attached in KGH. This beautiful work is being done by none other than....you guessed it, Bukharians. Other than that this probably illegal 2-family house stays up all night being loud and smoking cigarettes, but this work is beyond anything. Can this be legal? I thought the city put an end to this heinous look. The address is 137-10 70 Road. I haven't seen any construction signs anywhere.

Signed,
Pissed in KGH.

Well, if this is actually being used as a 2-family house, then it would be an illegal conversion, as DOB has it listed as a 1-family. The last complaint about that issue was closed in 1997. And paving over your front yard has been illegal since 2007, but as this appears to be a side yard, it's likely okay as per the zoning code.

I'll just sit back now and wait for one of the Buks to nastily write about how jealous we all are of them for beautifying the neighborhood and raising everyone else's property values.

They really love paving stones

"It's amazing what you discover when you walk the dog.

And I am in wonder why I've never seen these violations before, but they appear to be springing up all over.
I've filed a half dozen on-line 311 / DOB complaints in the past 3 weeks.

Example. 141-18 Negundo Ave at Robinson.
Violation of the fence height restrictions and full paving of front and rear yards.

On the yardage paving matter we are reminded of the adopted yard texts of 2008 and the initiatives by City Council to make neighborhoods more greener, attractive and environmental sound. The full paving of yards converts otherwise pervious surfaces into impervious surfaces.

"Ensuring that residential developments throughout the five boroughs have adequate yards and green space is critical to creating a livable, sustainable city with a healthy environment and an improved quality of life," said Director Burden. "Landscaped surfaces will absorb storm water, cool the air and make neighborhoods more attractive places to live and raise a family."

City Council Zoning Sub-Committee Chair Tony Avella, who has opposed the paving over of front yards, stated, "Replacing greenery with concrete not only is an aesthetic issue, it also hurts the environment and overburdens the city sewer system. The Yards Text Amendment has other significant improvements to the zoning which will help to preserve the quality of life in low-density residential neighborhoods throughout the City."

Civic leaders should take an interests in the paving matter as many were involved in the development of the Yard Text Amendment proposal 6 years ago in the aftermath of a series of damaging storm water overflow and flood events across Queens.

Thank you." - anonymous

One fine crap specimen

Raise your hand if you think these are really 2-family homes as their permits suggest. (Here's another.)

I don't see any hands.

Historical aerial photos show this to have previously been a grassy empty lot or side yard. Now there's a minimum of 8 units here and not one blade of grass.