esrosedotblog

BIG MAC

We went to the second hearing of the Planning Commission yesterday.

This is about the huge house that they want to put across the side lane; the one that will look down on our back yard.

There were as many unanswered questions this time as the last.

I didn't attend the first one; scheduling trouble. But I did go yesterday. I rose to be counted in opposition and then figured, what the hell, I have three minutes. Why not say some more. So I pulled a short speech out of my ass.

I think it went over well. My partner even said so.

The applicant spoke this time. He's a maroon*. Worse, it also became clear that he is a developer. He will not live in the house!

I stage whispered the word as loud as I could to our large neighborhood contingent—"de-vel-o-per!".

There is nothing wrong about developers other than their zero interest in the neighborhood, their goal of making the fast buck and their total irresponsibility.

In any case, a motion was made to deny the application for the house. It did not pass. Commissioners are reluctant to deny because people get litigious and the city is terrified of lawsuits.

Then a motion was made to approve. It did not pass!

Stalemate.

Purgatory.

Nothing worse for the developer who now has four weeks to try again (or go appeal to city council) or quit.

We are not there yet but we are doing well.

I like that it has brought our relatively distant neighbors closer.

There is even talk of a neighborhood association.

I don't know that I would go that far but it is a good sign of cohesiveness.

Maroon: Bugs Bunny's civil wording for Moron but in the greater NYC area also extends to a lack of culture and sensitivity. A jerk.

Labels: developer, macmansion, maroon