Forum photo by Patricia Adams
Residents say the vacant lot on 78th street is not properly maintained and as a result they are overrun with rats and other vermin.
By Patricia Adams
Residents living near 78th Street and 149th Avenue in Lindenwood seemed to be caught in the crossfire of a zoning war they say has brought their quality of life to an all-time low and is threatening their property value.
Speculation continues to swirl around developer Zannis Angelidakis’s intention for the property. Earlier this year, the City Department of Buildings issued a construction permit for a proposed four-story structure featuring 46 individual units and 30 parking spaces.
Rumors of plans focused on converting the vacant lot into a low-income housing complex sparked heated debates at community meetings and raised concerns in the neighborhood.
“Whatever he’s building is a concern of the future,” said one resident who spoke to The Forum on condition of anonymity. “But right now we are living with the filth he continues to dump on the property, and the rats and other vermin that have taken up residence in our homes and backyards due to his negligence.”
Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic President Joann Ariola said she has been contending with the situation and fallout for far too long.
“Zannis Angelidakis has dealt disingenuously with the community from the moment he took possession of the property,” the long-time activist told The Forum on Wednesday. “Area residents have attended many civic meetings to bring light to the unhealthy condition of the property and the ill effect it is having on their quality of life. The civic has worked with Councilman [Eric] Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) to make sure the overgrown, dumped-on lot was cleaned—only to have Angelidakis continue to dump construction materials and bring rodents, not just to the property but also into the surrounding homes. It is unconscionable for him to ever think that the civic and community would trust his intentions. He has proven over and over that he is not a good community partner.”
Ariola’s is not the only voice supporting area residents. Ulrich, who said he has been approached about weighing in on zoning conflicts regarding the property, spoke assuredly this week concerning any measures taken to obtain variances.
“For as long as I am in office I will not entertain any zoning change that would be detrimental to the community whatsoever,” the councilman said. “If the developer attempts to build something that would be bad for my constituents he’d better be prepared to deal with me.”
A source close to Angelidakis said the developer has pledged to not use the investment property for low-income housing.
The same source has offered to set up a meeting between this newspaper and the developer when Angelidakis returns from Greece in three weeks.
