Forum Photo by Richard York
“Almost five years after Sandy made landfall, many Breezy constituents are still attempting to rebuild their lives and their homes in the community they love,” Addabbo said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Bills sponsored by two area elected officials that extend Superstorm Sandy rebuilding aid for residents of Breezy Point recently passed the State Senate and Assembly.
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) sponsored legislation to once again extend existing law, reinstating building permits for homes destroyed during Sandy and waives City Building Standards and Appeals requirements regarding street frontage issues that are specific and unique to the Breezy Point community.
According to Senate records, S.3128 “allows those residing in Breezy Point to continue rebuilding their homes following the devastation of Sandy. Due to the unique layout of Breezy Point many homes do not have mapped street frontage which triggers a BSA hearing and ultimate sign off. This application and review process can typically take 6-12 months or more without the 2013 waiver. It is necessary to extend the waiver for an additional two years so Breezy Point residents can continue to the process of rebuilding their homes and putting their lives back together.”
“The fact that we needed to introduce and pass an extender bill, yet again, shows the magnitude of the devastation Sandy brought to our constituents in Breezy Point,” Addabbo said. “Almost five years after [Superstorm] Sandy made landfall, many Breezy constituents are still attempting to rebuild their lives and their homes in the community they love. While the storm wreaked havoc and devastation throughout my Senate district and elsewhere, this neighborhood was battered beyond imagination.”
S.3128 passed the Senate two weeks ago; A.4068 was approved by the Assembly last Thursday.
“Considering the delays that thousands of our residents have been subjected to under Build It Back, Rapid Repair, and other programs at the city level, it was so urgent that we give our residents at least two more years to rebuild with relief from red tape,” Pheffer Amato said. “I appreciate my colleagues in both houses for understanding that my neighbors deserve to live in structurally sound homes and that that they deserve every chance to rebuild. This vote will make a huge difference for Breezy Point families, seniors, laborers and the overall community.”
Denise Neibel, assistant general manager of the Breezy Point Cooperative, added, “This is great news. Thank you to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato and to Senator Addabbo for your support. Extension of this legislation will continue to enable our homeowners to more expeditiously progress through the rebuilding process and return their families home.”
