Guyanese immigrants protest Richmond Hill rezoning plans

By North American Correspondent

A public hearing was held on Wednesday evening at the Kwality Restaurant on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill on a proposed rezoning of the Richmond Hill area that will determine the kind of properties that can be built and where they can be built. The public forum was organised by the Richmond Hill Economic Development Corporation led by activist Vishnu Mahadeo.

The New York City Department of City Planning, Queens Division, proposes to rezone Richmond Hill which falls under Community District 9, Queens. The Community District has the power to approve or reject any rezoning of the area.

The District is controlled by non-Guyanese who were the ones who petitioned for the down zoning of the community which some feel is intended to drive Guyanese away from the area.

The plan to rezone the areas of Richmond Hill and nearby Woodhaven, where tens of thousands of Guyanese are settled, have raised concerns from Guyanese residents and business community leaders who say they are worried the proposal could make it difficult for them to expand their buildings to cater for expanded families and economic activities.

The Queens Zoning Board plans to downgrade the area to make it virtually impossible to construct multi-dwelling units on certain blocks. The rezoning emphasizes keeping the one- and two-family houses in the heavily residential areas in an effort to deter the multi-family units that have been built in recent years, according to city officials.

Guyanese and other immigrant areas tend to have extended families, and some feel that the Community Board, by their actions, is discouraging joint and extended families.

The proposed rezoning laws require public hearings before the changes are sent to the City Council Legislature for final approval.

The Richmond Hill gathering was the sixth in a series of meetings at which Guyanese gave their dissent to the proposed zoning changes. However, as community leaders complained on Wednesday evening, the Zoning Board has ignored their opposition to the down zoning of the area. They charge that the Zoning Board has not included their suggestions on how to deal with shortage of housing and space for Hindu and Islamic worshipping in the area among the growing immigrant population.

At the meeting, two representatives from the Department of City Planning of Queens gave an update on the status of their work to rezone the area where two members of the Community Board 9 also spoke in favor of down zoning the area.

Residents were given the opportunity to comment on the City Planning’s proposal. They were given a draft plan by John Young, director of the Queens Office of City Planning which provided information on the proposed rezoning. Some 40 residents from the area turned up to air their views on proposed changes which saw heated opposition from the Guyanese and Punjabis.

Vishnu Mahadeo of RHEDC told the planning representatives that the Guyanese community “is now evolving from the basement and house temples to the more established looking Mandirs, Mosque and Gurdwaras”.

Attorney Albert Baldeo lashed out at the zoning commissioners and leaders for ignoring the views of Richmond Hill community leaders.

Speakers said the City stands to benefit with higher property tax if the area is up zoned and development is allowed. Speakers told the Board that it should provide for much needed housing opportunities along appropriate growth corridors. It is noted that the downgrading will impact on investment and affect the surroundings of the area.