When the city sought to dredge the Hudson River so the Q. E. 2 could dock an Environmental Impact Study was done first. These studies determine how a change will affect the inhabitants. Such studies have prevented work in areas where work would endanger the inhabitants. These inhabitants have been flowers, birds, fish, etc. but not humans.
Neighborhood Environmental Impact Studies
Are not humans affected by changes in their environment? Then shouldn’t there be a type of environmental impact study for neighborhoods? Yes…yes, there should be.
Let’s call it “The Neighborhood Environmental Impact Study”. It will be performed when major changes are planned for a neighborhood.
This study would cover the following:
Schools
- Are there enough schools in the area to accommodate the increased population?
- Do the schools have enough vacancies for the influx of children?
- Are additional schools needed? If so, build them first.
Libraries
- Does the area have a sufficiently stocked library?
- If not, then the library will be updated. This will happen before any housing is built.
- Is the library within a reasonable walking distance from the development?
Recreation
- What recreation exists in the area?
- Is the recreational area already at capacity?
- Is it accessible to everyone?
- Will the development have to build its own?
Parking
- Will any new development or improvements remove parking?
- Is there sufficient parking for the community?
- Will the development remove or negatively impact parking? If so then a parking lot must be built for the development.
Stores
- Where is the major shopping area?
- Does it have a supermarket?
- Does it have other stores the community needs?
- If not, then this also must be addressed before changes that will strain resources are built.
This is just a starter list. The final list must produce a study that documents the impact on the community.
The final and most important part of the study must ask “What the community feels is needed”?
Ask The Community
There is an area between two buildings in East New York where NYCHA has sold the land to a developer. Plans show that two more buildings are to be constructed there. (See: Plan Here)
Although the land space can support the buildings, East New York may not. Instead, Linden Houses could use a senior citizen’s residence.
Many seniors who once needed more than one bedroom no longer need this. When this happens NYCHA looks to move the person. Most of the time it is to a different development. This removes the senior from an area familiar to him or her.
A senior citizen residence would be a better deal. The seniors stay in an area they already know. They remain among longtime friends and acquaintances. The medical facilities they have come to depend on have not changed. The stress of moving is avoided.
So which is better? Two new apartment buildings or a senior living facility? Why not ask the residents of Linden Houses?
My East New York Impact Study
This study is based on East New York Neighborhood Plan in Photos.
No study was done to see if this area could accommodate more people. So I did my own. It’s not as detailed as the one I suggest but it does point to some concerns.
What the study found
Completion of development will bring an estimated 240 families into the area. That’s families, not people. The number of people will be larger.
- The subway and buses will see an almost immediate increase in ridership. But no additional buses or trains are planned.
- The charter schools and public schools are already in a fight for space. No new schools or libraries are planned.
- Parking spaces near stores are now metered. This was parking that teachers and others relied on.
- Parking is already at a premium during the weekdays. On Sunday it will be worse. St Paul’s Baptist Church draws a crowd from early morning to afternoon.
- No recreational area in the development means the children there use the ones in Linden Houses.
- Linden Park may be able to accommodate more people except during tournaments. Basketball, football, and soccer games draw a big crowd.
Vacant Stores
There has been a modernization of some of the stores but that may bring more problems. That problem is an increase in the cost of products or services.
These new buildings will undoubtedly have a higher rent than previous ones.
Increase rental costs passed on to the consumer. The community can expect a higher cost of products or services.
There is also the question of what type of stores will move in. The previous stores seem to have left the area.
Conclusion and Recommendation of Study
Population
A method is needed to control population growth.
Manipulating the number of bedrooms in an apartment can do this.
Example: Using the rule of thumb: 2 people per bedroom we can control how many people will occupy an apartment.
- For a 3-bedroom apartment, we can estimate at least 6 people. This is usually two adults and four children. This will go up if there is an infant in the family. This is because an infant can occupy the same bedroom as the parents.
- For a 2-bedroom apartment, the estimate is 4 people. Again an infant can change the number of people.
Using this method there should be fewer 3-bedroom apartments than 2-bedroom apartments. To further control the population, add a few 1-bedroom apartments. A studio is a consideration but not a necessity.
Conclusion: More information is needed to compute a reasonable population increase for the area.
Schools
There is one elementary school PS 306 within short walking distance. The next elementary school is slightly further away. There are other elementary schools in the area across Linden Blvd.
George Gershwin–IS 166–is the closest junior high school. But this school has been broken into several schools.
All schools are near capacity. Gershwin could use more funding to accommodate the students it already has.
Conclusion: Classroom availability is questionable
Libraries
There is one library within walking distance. However, it borders the Starrett City development as well as the Linden Houses. The next library is located at New Lots Ave near Schenck (pronounced “skank”) Ave. This is barely within walking distance from the development.
Conclusion: Libraries are insufficient.
Parking
Observed that on Sunday there is very little parking because of church services. Weekday parking is not much better. All drivers will be hard-pressed to find parking. There are no public or private parking facilities.
Conclusion: Parking is insufficient.
Mass Transit
The bus lines may be able to handle the influx of people but the subway may not. Rush hour trains are nearly packed before the first transfer point, which is Utica Ave. The MTA will have to add additional trains during this time.
Conclusion: Mass transit is questionable.
Recreation
Children of the development will have to use the recreational areas in Linden Houses or Linden Park. However, if NYCHA sells off these areas in Linden Houses only Linden Park will be available.
Conclusion: High probability recreational areas will be insufficient.
End of report
The Next Project
On New Lots and Van Sinderen Avenues, another project begins.
The merchants were moved out and the suits celebrated the groundbreaking.
This area is next to the L train. Private homes are there as well as a few stores.
When completed the population of East New York will grow again. It will continue to grow as the mayor rezones other areas of East New York. Unchecked we can expect more tall buildings. And more dense-packed developments until East New York is overpopulated.
The final outcome
If all things remain the same we can look forward to the following:
No additional schools. No new libraries, fewer recreational areas, no new supermarkets, and no parking.
Without Neighborhood Environmental Impact Studies there will just be buildings…everywhere they can go.
You just read The Environmental Impact Study for Neighborhoods. Is it time for one?
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and nothing stated here is legal advice. This article applies to the five boroughs of New York. All information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Always check the real estate laws in your part of the country.
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