SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the boundaries for the Creedmoor Civic Association?
The boundaries for the Creedmoor Civic Association are: 88th Ave on the north, both sides of Moline St. to the west, the north side of Braddock Ave. to the south, and the south-bound Cross Island Parkway service road to the east.
I don't own the house that I live in, I rent the house. Can I join?
Yes, tenants are welcome to join as a full member.
I'm a tenant. I rent an apartment in your area. Am I eligible to join?
Absolutely. While there are few tenants that have actually joined, some have been members for many years. It's your neighborhood, too.
I just moved into the neighborhood. How can I learn more about this area?
Obviously, the best way is to get to know your neighbors and ask them. We realize that sometimes it's hard to do that, so give us a call at 464-3369 or write us at:
PO Box 260143 Bellerose, NY 11426.
We'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Of course, you can always e-mail us at: [email protected]
Your privacy is always protected, no matter how you contact us.
What police precinct am I in?
Our precinct is the 105, one of the largest in NYC. It's located at: 92-08 222 St in Queens Village, only a few blocks from our area. In fact, it's within walking distance. Their phone number is 776-9090.
What community board am I in?
Our community board is Community Board 13. They are located at: 219-41 Jamaica Ave. in Queens Village. Their phone number is: 464-9700.
What school district am I in?
For most of our area, it's School District # 29. If you live on 88th Ave., your district is School District # 26.
So what school would my kids be zoned for?
For District 29, grades Kindergarten through 5th is PS 33. For grades 6 through 8, it's IS109.
For District 26, grades Kindergarten through 5th is PS 18. For grades 6 through 8, it's IS172.
What is the zoning for this area? Any apartment buildings allowed here?
No. The western and center parts of our civic area are zoned R3-A, which allows only 1 and 2 family homes. The eastern portion is zoned R2A, which only allows 1 family homes. Existing two family homes are "grandfathered in," but no new two family homes may be built.
Am I allowed to create an apartment in my basement?
Absolutely not. The homes in our area have cellars, NOT basements. This doesn't sound like there's much of a difference, but there is a substantial difference according to the Department of Buildings. To be a legal basement apartment, the windows must be a certain minimum size to allow for emergency egress in the event of a fire. A certain amount of the basement must be above grade. The lower levels of our homes cannot be legally converted, and the Department of Buildings does not issue permits for our area.
There's an awful lot of people living in one house on my block. I think there's an apartment in the basement, too. What should I do?
You can call the City of NY Hotline at 311. You will not need to leave your name or phone number. Be sure to get a reference number so you can call back at a later date for an update. Before you call, gather as much information about the premises as you can (address, where is the entrance to the apartment, number of people living there, evidence of additional mailboxes or doorbells, etc.). If you'd prefer, you can call us at 464-3369. We will contact the Dept. of Bldgs. and file the complaint under the civic association name. Your name will never be given to others.
Note: We can only accept complaints for our own civic area. Please do not call for any area outside our civic area.
There's an apartment on the second floor of one of the homes on my block. Is this legal?
Possibly. Then again, maybe not. It all depends on whether a Certificate of Occupancy (C of 0) has been issued for a 2 family dwelling. Currently, it's possible, but difficult to determine this info on your own. To be converted from a one family to a two family, there are several items that must be followed.
One of the most important items, and also one of the most expensive, is the proper installation of fire stops. This entails the opening of the walls to install blocks of wood to prevent the spread of fire from the first floor to the second. Of course, a proper Dept. of Buildings permit must be obtained and prominently displayed so it can be seen from the outside of the dwelling.
I can never park in front of my house. Years ago, I was always able to. Now, someone else is always there first. Anything I can do?
Unfortunately, with the increase of illegal apartments and conversions to two and three family homes, parking spaces are becoming more and more scarce. There's also the situations where one family may have five or six vehicles. Parking spaces in New York City are not the property of a homeowner, whether they pay a mortgage or rent. While it's nice to come home and find a spot in front of your house, it's not a right.
My neighbor's been parking his commercial van in front of his house at night. He leaves early in the morning, but I think it looks terrible. What can I do?
Call the NYC Hotline at 311 and be prepared to give the operator the license plate number and the address that the vehicle is parked in front of. Commercial vehicles may not be parked in the neighborhood for more than three hours during the day, and not at all at night, unless the driver of the vehicles is actively performing a service.
The only exceptions to this rule are for oil company vehicles that perform heating services, and utility vehicles, such as Con Ed and the cable company.
Another neighbor's been parking his commercial vehicle in his driveway. Is this legal?
No, this is not legal in most cases, although there are some exceptions. The Department of Buildings has jurisdiction over this type of violation.
One neighbor's been repairing cars on a regular basis in his garage. The noise is horrible sometimes. I think he's running a business. Is this legal?
No, and the sooner you call us to let us know about it, the better. Residents on one block provided the association with enough information that we were able to contact the proper departments to close down one resident that repaired livery vans in his driveway. Cooperation amongst the residents helped to prevent this situation from becoming more widespread.
My next door neighbor just had a six foot stockade fence installed between his yard and mine. Is there anything I can do about this? I thought he had to have the "good side" face me. It's ugly!
As long as the fence is within his property boundaries, the fence is OK. While there are rules in certain other areas, such as some villages and towns in Nassau County, that require residents to display the "good side" of the fence towards their neighbors, there is no such rule in New York City. Six feet tall is the limit.
My kids (seven and ten) like to ride their bikes on the sidewalk. Someone on the block tends to park his car so he blocks the sidewalk. The kids can only go as far as his house, then they have to turn around. What can I do?
If you're not comfortable talking to the offending neighbor about this, contact the Community Affairs Office at the 105th Precinct. Community Affairs' phone number is 776-9173. Be sure to let them know that the children on the block are in danger because they are being forced into the street. Get the officer's name when you call, and follow up if there is no improvement within a week.
I have some neighbors that have very loud parties until 2 or 3 in the morning. They blast their stereo until the party ends. Who do I call?
If this is during the summer months, call the precinct at 776-9090 and tell the desk officer that you would like the "Party Patrol Car" (yes, that's what they call it) to investigate a loud party. You may also contact our two NCOs (Neighborhood Community Officers) at the precinct.
There is someone on my block that hasn't cut his grass all summer. Looks nasty as all heck. Can't we get the city to fine him?
There is a regulation called "Failure To Maintain" that is rarely used in New York City. To be honest, the property must be in extremely bad shape, and a danger to others for a violation to be issued. The Health Department may get involved if there is any indication of vermin.
My neighbor never cleans up after his dog in the backyard. The runoff after a heavy rainfall is pretty nasty, to say the least. A lot of it makes it into my backyard. Who do I call?
You can call the NYC Health Department at 212 442-1838 (or the city Hotline at 311). You do not have to give your name. Be prepared to give them as much info as possible, such as the address, number of dogs, the worst time for the accumulation of dog waste, etc.
What are the boundaries for the Creedmoor Civic Association?
The boundaries for the Creedmoor Civic Association are: 88th Ave on the north, both sides of Moline St. to the west, the north side of Braddock Ave. to the south, and the south-bound Cross Island Parkway service road to the east.
I don't own the house that I live in, I rent the house. Can I join?
Yes, tenants are welcome to join as a full member.
I'm a tenant. I rent an apartment in your area. Am I eligible to join?
Absolutely. While there are few tenants that have actually joined, some have been members for many years. It's your neighborhood, too.
I just moved into the neighborhood. How can I learn more about this area?
Obviously, the best way is to get to know your neighbors and ask them. We realize that sometimes it's hard to do that, so give us a call at 464-3369 or write us at:
PO Box 260143 Bellerose, NY 11426.
We'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Of course, you can always e-mail us at: [email protected]
Your privacy is always protected, no matter how you contact us.
What police precinct am I in?
Our precinct is the 105, one of the largest in NYC. It's located at: 92-08 222 St in Queens Village, only a few blocks from our area. In fact, it's within walking distance. Their phone number is 776-9090.
What community board am I in?
Our community board is Community Board 13. They are located at: 219-41 Jamaica Ave. in Queens Village. Their phone number is: 464-9700.
What school district am I in?
For most of our area, it's School District # 29. If you live on 88th Ave., your district is School District # 26.
So what school would my kids be zoned for?
For District 29, grades Kindergarten through 5th is PS 33. For grades 6 through 8, it's IS109.
For District 26, grades Kindergarten through 5th is PS 18. For grades 6 through 8, it's IS172.
What is the zoning for this area? Any apartment buildings allowed here?
No. The western and center parts of our civic area are zoned R3-A, which allows only 1 and 2 family homes. The eastern portion is zoned R2A, which only allows 1 family homes. Existing two family homes are "grandfathered in," but no new two family homes may be built.
Am I allowed to create an apartment in my basement?
Absolutely not. The homes in our area have cellars, NOT basements. This doesn't sound like there's much of a difference, but there is a substantial difference according to the Department of Buildings. To be a legal basement apartment, the windows must be a certain minimum size to allow for emergency egress in the event of a fire. A certain amount of the basement must be above grade. The lower levels of our homes cannot be legally converted, and the Department of Buildings does not issue permits for our area.
There's an awful lot of people living in one house on my block. I think there's an apartment in the basement, too. What should I do?
You can call the City of NY Hotline at 311. You will not need to leave your name or phone number. Be sure to get a reference number so you can call back at a later date for an update. Before you call, gather as much information about the premises as you can (address, where is the entrance to the apartment, number of people living there, evidence of additional mailboxes or doorbells, etc.). If you'd prefer, you can call us at 464-3369. We will contact the Dept. of Bldgs. and file the complaint under the civic association name. Your name will never be given to others.
Note: We can only accept complaints for our own civic area. Please do not call for any area outside our civic area.
There's an apartment on the second floor of one of the homes on my block. Is this legal?
Possibly. Then again, maybe not. It all depends on whether a Certificate of Occupancy (C of 0) has been issued for a 2 family dwelling. Currently, it's possible, but difficult to determine this info on your own. To be converted from a one family to a two family, there are several items that must be followed.
One of the most important items, and also one of the most expensive, is the proper installation of fire stops. This entails the opening of the walls to install blocks of wood to prevent the spread of fire from the first floor to the second. Of course, a proper Dept. of Buildings permit must be obtained and prominently displayed so it can be seen from the outside of the dwelling.
I can never park in front of my house. Years ago, I was always able to. Now, someone else is always there first. Anything I can do?
Unfortunately, with the increase of illegal apartments and conversions to two and three family homes, parking spaces are becoming more and more scarce. There's also the situations where one family may have five or six vehicles. Parking spaces in New York City are not the property of a homeowner, whether they pay a mortgage or rent. While it's nice to come home and find a spot in front of your house, it's not a right.
My neighbor's been parking his commercial van in front of his house at night. He leaves early in the morning, but I think it looks terrible. What can I do?
Call the NYC Hotline at 311 and be prepared to give the operator the license plate number and the address that the vehicle is parked in front of. Commercial vehicles may not be parked in the neighborhood for more than three hours during the day, and not at all at night, unless the driver of the vehicles is actively performing a service.
The only exceptions to this rule are for oil company vehicles that perform heating services, and utility vehicles, such as Con Ed and the cable company.
Another neighbor's been parking his commercial vehicle in his driveway. Is this legal?
No, this is not legal in most cases, although there are some exceptions. The Department of Buildings has jurisdiction over this type of violation.
One neighbor's been repairing cars on a regular basis in his garage. The noise is horrible sometimes. I think he's running a business. Is this legal?
No, and the sooner you call us to let us know about it, the better. Residents on one block provided the association with enough information that we were able to contact the proper departments to close down one resident that repaired livery vans in his driveway. Cooperation amongst the residents helped to prevent this situation from becoming more widespread.
My next door neighbor just had a six foot stockade fence installed between his yard and mine. Is there anything I can do about this? I thought he had to have the "good side" face me. It's ugly!
As long as the fence is within his property boundaries, the fence is OK. While there are rules in certain other areas, such as some villages and towns in Nassau County, that require residents to display the "good side" of the fence towards their neighbors, there is no such rule in New York City. Six feet tall is the limit.
My kids (seven and ten) like to ride their bikes on the sidewalk. Someone on the block tends to park his car so he blocks the sidewalk. The kids can only go as far as his house, then they have to turn around. What can I do?
If you're not comfortable talking to the offending neighbor about this, contact the Community Affairs Office at the 105th Precinct. Community Affairs' phone number is 776-9173. Be sure to let them know that the children on the block are in danger because they are being forced into the street. Get the officer's name when you call, and follow up if there is no improvement within a week.
I have some neighbors that have very loud parties until 2 or 3 in the morning. They blast their stereo until the party ends. Who do I call?
If this is during the summer months, call the precinct at 776-9090 and tell the desk officer that you would like the "Party Patrol Car" (yes, that's what they call it) to investigate a loud party. You may also contact our two NCOs (Neighborhood Community Officers) at the precinct.
There is someone on my block that hasn't cut his grass all summer. Looks nasty as all heck. Can't we get the city to fine him?
There is a regulation called "Failure To Maintain" that is rarely used in New York City. To be honest, the property must be in extremely bad shape, and a danger to others for a violation to be issued. The Health Department may get involved if there is any indication of vermin.
My neighbor never cleans up after his dog in the backyard. The runoff after a heavy rainfall is pretty nasty, to say the least. A lot of it makes it into my backyard. Who do I call?
You can call the NYC Health Department at 212 442-1838 (or the city Hotline at 311). You do not have to give your name. Be prepared to give them as much info as possible, such as the address, number of dogs, the worst time for the accumulation of dog waste, etc.