BuckinghamPondCrestwood NANEWS

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Location: Albany, New York, United States

CONSERVATIVE ROW C FOR MAYOR CITY OF ALBANY NY November 5, 2013 Election U S Navy Veteran BS Geography, U Wisconsin (Korean GI Bill) MA Geography, U Minnesota (National Fellowship) 30 years as founder and president, Buckingham Pond/ Crestwood Neighborhood Assoc. maintaining/improving neighborhood residential integrity and quality of life. Leadership resulted in creation of Buckingham Pond Park in 1993-94, as well as many other open spaces. See bpcnanews.blogspot.com for list of leadership results. Neighborhood website: bpcnanews.blogspot.com/ see also: albanycityconservative.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 28, 2015

BEWARE OF PROMISES
LA RAZA PROMISE?

Connect the dots amigos:


http://www.teaparty.org/obama-gives-30-million-la-raza-affiliate-39038/


Follow the money if you can.


http://wanderingchurchman.blogspot.com/2011/06/shrine-church-of-our-lady-of-americas_17.html

and

http://ourladyoftheamericas.weebly.com/

note Family Promise  left column, 2d from bottom

and

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizing_for_Action



La Raza  means  "the Race"     Racist?


La Raza opposes English as our national language.

Fundamental transformation of America
to a third world status will be the end result.

Lifeboat America adrift in a sea of world
poverty.

Overload the lifeboat and it swamps.
All aboard are lost.

Sadly, our politicians and clergy are 
at the helm and tiller.

A sad end for a once great Nation.

                                   Jose O'Suillebhain


Thursday, March 26, 2015

ATTORNEY WANTED
TO CONTEST ALBANY
CITY BZA FAMILY 
PROMISE DECISION 

Are one or more attorney homeowners
willing to bring a pro bono class action
lawsuit on behalf of homeowners living
in R 1b single family residential zones
in the City of Albany, including, but
not limited to, homeowners resident in
the Buckingham Pond Crestwood
Neighborhood?

The neighborhood is bounded by Western
Ave, South Manning Blvd, NYS Thruway 
and Rte 85.

The legal action would involve getting
a court order prohibiting FamilyPromise
from renting a single family dwelling 738
New Scotland Ave, as a "hub"  to operate
it's homeless social services program 
pending a court proceeding to determine 
if the Albany City Board of Zoning Appeals
erred in deciding in favor of Family Promise.

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-OKs-homeless-services-at-New-Scotland-6159358.php

This writer has requested, but not received
the written decision of the Albany City
BZA.  

The BZA is an body appointed by
the Mayor of Albany in consultation with
the Albany City Common Council, so is it
 safe to assume that the BZA Members
do not act without approval of the Mayor
and oversight by the Common Council?


The BZA decision 3/25/15 over rides a
DENIAL of the Family Promise use of
738 New Scotland Ave as a hub for it's
social services homeless program
by the Albany  City Department of Codes
in letters dated 12/8/14 and 11/24/14.

Albany City Dept of Codes is charged
with administration of the Albany City
Zoning Code.

Zoning is a local state responsibility.

There are compelling reasons for
the BZA to have upheld the original
Denial of the Family Promise use of
738 New Scotland Avenue, a single
family dwelling in an R 1b single
family residential zone pursuant to
the current Albany City Zoning Code
as a "hub" to operate its' homeless
social services program.

1. The homes in this zone are highly
taxed to support city schools and
city government services.

2. Any action that would devalue
homes in such residential zones
would harm homeowners and
adversely impact support of
cash strapped city schools and
a city government which is facing
bankruptcy or takeover by the
Governor's Fiscal Review Board.

Any interested attorneys may
contact me for further discussion.

Here is written testimony which
this writer submitted to the BZA
on behalf of homeowners.

http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/2015/03/say-prayer-that-albany-city-bza-denys.html

Read the posts on this website
from January to present for more.

http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com

All homeowners in R-1b single
family zoned districts are aggrieved
by the Albany BZA decision 3/25/15
re: The Family Promise Appeal of
City Denial of the FP use of  738
New Scotland Avenue as a "hub"
for its' social services homeless
program.

This includes all attorneys who
live in such R-1b single family
zones pursuant to the Albany
City Zoning Code.

Who among you will step up
to challenge the irresponsible
decision of the Albany City BZA
regarding the Family Promise
Appeal?

The residential integrity/quality
of life, your home values and
support for city schools/city
services are on the line. 

Albany is on the fast track for
becoming Detroit on the Hudson
if the BZA decision of 3/25/15
is left unchallenged.

                       Joe Sullivan


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

CAPITAL HILLS
(ALBANY MUNI)

To open 2nd week of April, weather
permitting.

Note increased fees:

 http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-s-Capital-Hills-golf-course-sets-April-6155762.php

                 Joe  Sullivan

Friday, March 20, 2015

PROPERTY TAXES IN NYS

Read  Empire Center Report

 http://www.empirecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PropertyTaxes2013.pdf


                                    Joe Sullivan

Wednesday, March 18, 2015


NEIGHBORHOOD AGENDA 2015
BUCKINGHAM POND CRESTWOOD NA
                                                                             
                                                       
We live in one of the nicest remaining residential

 neighborhoods in  the City of Albany because  we
 have had an active neighborhood association
with strong leadership for the past 30 years

 and your support.

Spring is a time of renewal. A time to renew your

 involvement in your neighborhood association. 
 YOUR ASSOCIATION WORKS WHEN YOU DO!

Long time homeowners, and new residents, have a 

stake in making sure our neighborhood remains a good
place to live.There are plenty of issues .

The PRIORITY is DEFEAT of  Bethany- Promise
appeal of City Codes DENIAL of Family Promise
use of the former church parsonage 738 New
Scotland Ave as a "hub" for a homeless social
services program, including housing homeless at
Mater Christi and St Sophia's.

Approval of this appeal would adversely impact
neighborhood residential integrity/quality of life
reduce our home values, which, in turn, would
negatively impact the city property tax base and
erode support for city schools and city government
services.

Albany would be on a fast track for becoming
Detroit on the Hudson.

 Read neighborhood website- January to present.  

 http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/ 

The Albany City BZA heard the
appeal March 11 and will render
a decision March 25.

CALL/WRITE NOW -

demand the BZA DENY
the Bethany-Family Promise Appeal :

Mayor Sheehan  434 5100  mayor@ci.albany.ny.us

BZA   445 0754   bglass@albanyny.gov


NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH .

All residents are part of it. See something?
Say / do something.  Call APD, 

Center Square Station 458 5660 or 438 4000.
Anti- Terror Hotline: 1 866 SAFE NYS  (723 3697) 

Call me at 438 5230 and we can discuss what role(s)

 you can play in maintaining /improving neighborhood 
residential integrity and quality of life.
                                         
 NEIGHBORHOOD AGENDA  2015

 
1. Improvement of Buckingham Pond Park
2. Strict enforcement of speed limits, all traffic laws

    in our neighborhood
3. Improved snow plowing, reduce road salt use

    implement  alternatives
4. Complete  Daniel P O Connell Memorial Pocket Park 

    Whitehall at  New Scotland  and 
    Neighborhood Greenway  bordered by Crescent
    Krum Kill Rd/New Scotland Ave/ NYS TW/Rte 85                
5. Improve of Crestwood Shopping Plaza
6. Plant trees curbsides /front lawns
7. REZONING. Keep single family zoning. 

    Oppose HUD override of local zoning.
8. Keep Albany Muni a city golf course/park.

    Oppose privatization.
9. Improve Hartman Rd Community Garden
10. Oppose  building an apartment tower/parking 

     garage, Krum Kill Rd
11. Neighborhood security, combat crime/blight /

      promote emergency/disaster  preparedness .
      Officer Jim Brooks 458 5669   jbrooks@albany-ny.org     
12. Oppose reassessment.

COPY/ PASS THIS ON to family/neighbors   

Thank you. Wishing all a happy, healthy, productive 2015       
                                                                                                  Joe Sullivan

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

PATRICK'S DAY BLESSING

http://www.andiesisle.com/anirishblessing.html

                                Joe Sullivan

Friday, March 13, 2015

READ TODAY'S
TIMES UNION

"A tale of two homeless drop-in centers" 
Page D1 Capital Region

or

http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Inside-Politics-Albany-wrestles-with-rich-man-6131

Jordan reports that the Albany
City BZA will decide the Bethany
Family Promise Appeal on
March 25, 2015.

The March 11, BZA hearing record
is still open and there is time for
neighborhood residents, who have
not already done so, to OPPOSE
approval of the Bethany-Family
Promise plan -do so, in writing
to the BZA , Mayor and Common
Council.

The e mail addresses and telephone
numbers are:
BZA  bglass@albanyny.gov  445 0754
Mayor   mayor@ci.albany.ny.us  434 5100

Read the Bethany Website history 

http://www.bethanyrc.org/history.cfm

Bethany Reformed Church began
in Albany's South End. Over the
years the church has moved a
number of times, as urban blight
followed every move ,finally arriving
at it's New Scotland Av location
in 1953.

Until the arrival of the present Pastor
Bethany was a quiet church devoted
to religious services and ceremonies.

Since 1953, the single family dwelling
at 738 New Scotland Avenue has served
as the residence of prior pastors and
their families.

The parsonage is not, and has never
been," A House of Worship" as
defined in the Albany City Zoning
Code. 

Bethany now proposes to rent
the parsonage to Family Promise
of the Capital District, a 5013(c)3
not for profit corporation now
headquartered at 533 Clinton Ave
Albany , for use
as a "hub" for it's expanding
homeless social services program.

This would require certification by
the NYS Office of Family and Children
services as a day care center.

Compliance with the  Federal and
State Disability laws
would require extensive, costly
remodeling  of 738New Scotland Ave

The  homeless hub is not a permitted
 use in an R-1B single family residential
district. The City of Albany Codes
Dept correctly DENIED the
Bethany-Family Promise Application
of 11/24/14 in a letter dated 12/8/14

The BZA heard the Bethany-Family
Promise appeal om March 11, 2015
at City Hall, 5:45 PM.

We wanted the hearing to be held
at Mater Christi, in this neighborhood
at a convenient time/date
to provide for maximum participation
of residents of this, and adjacent
R-1B single zone family neighborhoods.

This request was ignored.

This writer and many other neighborhood
residents sent in testimony and comments
because the hearing would be held in
a cramped public space, with few available
parking places.

Read  Statement entered into BZA
March 11 Hearing Record, dated 3/10/15.

 https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/suite

I had informed the BZA (Brad Glass) that
I and many others,  would provide statements
for the hearing record, and NOT be attending
for reasons stated above.

It has come to my attention that  Jordan
to the delight  of similarly minded twits has
been tweeting far and wide that "Sullivan
the architect of neighborhood angst did
not attend." (the March 11 BZA hearing)

Now, you twits know the rest of the story.

If Jordan was an unbiased reporter who
did his homework, he would  likely not have
tweeted such a half tweet. Another
example of bias and misrepresentation
of facts by Times Union "reporters"
who seek to land "flack jobs" on public
payrolls as a reward for their service to
"progressive" politicians.

Bethany  Reformed Church has reached
the end of the line. The pastor is retiring.
The congregation is dwindling. 

The parsonage is for rent because there
will be no new pastor and family. The
congregation is in desperate need of
funds to stay afloat a while longer.

Just sell the single family dwelling
738 New Scotland Avenue, to a young
couple with children from this neighborhood.

Renting  738 New Scotland Avenue
to Family Promise, is the foot 
in the door, leading to eventual takeover
of the adjacent church and parking lot
of a dying church, by Family Promise
for it's expanding homeless social
service empire.

This would amount to killing the
BPCNA neighborhood
"golden goose" of the City by another
property tax exempt "not for profit".

The consequences would be devastating
for neighborhood home values,  the 
retirement plans of neighborhood residents
who will try to sell  their devalued homes
collapse of the city property tax base
and no money to support city schools
and city services.

All compelling reasons why the City
of Albany must uphold it's existing 
R1b Zoning Code by DENYING
the Bethany- Family Promise plan
to use 738 New Scotland Ave as
a "hub" for  the Family Promise
homeless social services plan
which includes housing homeless
at Mater Christi and St Sophia's.

The Federal Law bandied about by
the non property taxpaying clergy
and not for profit Family Promise
RLUIPA ,is not a blank pass to 
destroy a city.

Courts will not over rule local
zoning in the light of  the compelling
reasons not to - including turning
Albany into Detroit on the Hudson.

                            Joe Sullivan

Thursday, March 12, 2015

THEME SONG OF  
ALBANY'S BPCNA
NEIGHBORHOOD

The new theme song
of Albany's once prime
residential Buckingham
Pond Crestwood 
neighborhood.

Orchestrated  by the
two  retiring amigo
pastors ,their already
out to pasture donkey
and Family Promise
who will assist you in
filing your tax returns
and signing up for
public assistance.

Sing along with  Johnny Cash:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED5s1-Fe9FA

                   Joe Sullivan


STRANGE PERFORMANCE
AT THE ALBANY CITY BZA

Read :

 http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Warning-sounded-over-zoning-case-6129059.php

On December 8, 2014 the City
of Albany denied an application
by Bethany Church to rent out
the single family dwelling that
has served as the parsonage for
church pastors and their families
since the founding of Bethany
Church in 1953.

The single family dwelling is
in an R-1b single family
residential district pursuant
to the City of Albany Zoning
Code.

The tenant, Family Promise
of the Capital District, a
501 (C)3 Not for Profit
Corporation, now headquartered
at 533 Clinton Ave, Albany, wants
to use the single family dwelling
738 New Scotland Avenue as
a "hub" for operation of a
homeless social services program
in cooperation with Mater Christi
and St Sophia's, who would house
the homeless clients.

The City Department of Codes
correctly denied the Bethany-
Family Promise plan because
the arrangement is not a permitted
use of a single family dwelling in
an R-1b single family zone pursuant
to the City of Albany Zoning Code.

The  BZA hearing March 11, was
for the purpose of hearing an
appeal from Bethany-Family
Promise that the BZA  render
an "Interpretation"  contrary to
the denial isssued by City Codes
of the Bethany-Family Promise
arrangement.

Were the Albany City BZA to
render such an interpretation, it
would gut the City Zoning Code
with respect to the residential
integrity and quality of life in
single family residential districts
in the City of Albany.

Such an interpretation would
put the the City of Albany on a
fast track to becoming Detroit
on the Hudson.

Property values would fall
creating hardship for home
owners trying to sell, the
city property tax base would
collapse imperiling support
for city schools and city serivices
all compelling reasons for the
BZA to affirm City denial of
the Bethany-Family Promise
appeal.

Contrary to the threats of slip
and fall lawyers,  an over
the hill politician,  and a
gaggle of self sevrving clergy, to
invoke a Federal law (RLUIPA) 
in support
of the Bethany-Family Promise
plan, that law does not provide
for municiplaties to commit
Hari Kari.

The BZA , Mayor and Albany
Common Council  must uphold
the City Zoning Code as it now
stands.

Residents of the Towns of Albany
County- pay close attention to
the outcome of this appeal.

The implications for you, your
residential integrity, quality of life
home values, support for your
schools and the solvency
of your Town governments  
should be evident.

What does it tell you when you
read that the attorney for Family
Promise, is also chairman of a
Town BZA, and he threatens
invoking RLUIPA to force the
 Albany BZA to render an
"interpretation" which is contrary
to the existing City Zoning Code?


The Albany BZA, Mayor and

Common Council must take a
clear stand in denial of the
Bethany-Family Promise homeless
social services scheme.

This writer, and residents of
the Buckingham Pond Crestwood 
neighborhood, as well as residents
of adjacent single family zones
have submitted their views to
the hearing record in writing. 

There was no need to interrupt
our suppers to attend the March
11 dog and pony performance
that the BZA had to endure.

Read testimony submitted
for the record:

https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/suite

                              Joe Sullivan





 

Monday, March 09, 2015

 HOMEOWNER TAX PROTESTS
 GALORE IN CITY OF ALBANY 

Expect homeowner property tax 
assessment protests galore in 2015.

Why?

Albany homeowners will pay more
because of last year's elimination of
the two tier residential-commercial
tax system, and

expected approval  by the City
BZA, at it's March 11 hearing
5:45 pm, City Hall
of the Bethany Church-Family 
Promise appeal to use the
former parsonage as a hub for the
Family Promise operation which 
includes  housing homeless at Mater
Christi and St Sophia's.

BZA approval of the Bethany-
Family Promise appeal will
have a negative impact on all
3 churches-

expect a drop in attendance and
collection plate offerings at all 3
churches

expect fewer neighborhood patrons
at Bethany's Spring plant sale

expect lower neighborhood
resident attendance at St Sophia's
annual Festival in May.

BZA approval will likely result
in lower home values, and fewer
home sales at lower prices . More
potential sellers will be forced
to become landlords and rent
their homes.

Needless to say, the residential
integrity and quality of life in
this neighborhood will suffer.

BPCNA neighborhood residents
living between the pond, Western
Avenue, South Manning Blvd and
Rt3 85 will not be immune.

Former Holy Cross Church and
the existing school would make
a likely spot for expansion of
the Family Promise homeless
program.

WATCH for announcement by
The City of Albany concerning
when, how and where  to protest
your property tax assessments
this year.

                             Joe Sullivan


Sunday, March 08, 2015

SAY A PRAYER THAT THE
ALBANY CITY BZA DENYS
THE BETHANY-FAMILY
PROMISE APPLICATION APPEAL
( FOR AN :INTERPRETATION"

FOR ENTRY INTO THE
BZA PUBLIC HEARING
RECORD


RE: Case # 1-15,4230

CITY OF ALBANY
DEPARTMENT OF

DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Albany City Hall
Board Caucus, 5:00 pm
City Court Room 209
Regular Meeting, 5:45 pm
Common Council Chambers
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA



2. Case # 1-15, 4230
Property Address:

736-760 New Scotland Ave.
Applicant: Bethany Reformed

Church
Representing Agent: 

Donald S. Pangburn, Esq.
Zoning District: R-1B

 (Single-Family Medium-
Density Residential)
Request: Interpretation (§375-25B)

to determine if a community service
ministry that will serve the needs of
the homeless families and
be administered by Family Promise
of the Capital Region is consistent 
with the use of the property
as a house of worship.

The above description of the
BZA hearing question is not
accurate.

Refer to the Bethany Application
and supporting documents:



http://www.albanyny.org/Libraries/BZA/BZA_-_1-15-4230_02-11-15.sflb.ashx
 
 
The Appeal  dated 12/15/14 
in this matter asks
the BZA to rule that the use of
church property at 738 New Scotland
Ave, as a hub for operation of
homeless social services program by
Family Promise of the Capital
Region, a 501 (c) 3 Not for Profit
Corporation, headquartered at 533
Clinton Ave, Albany,
is a permitted use in an R-1b
single family zone.
 
The City of Albany  already has
correctly, determined that the 
answer is NO, 
and denied the Bethany.
Refer to City letters dated 11/20/14
and 12/8/14 .

The property at issue is  the
single family dwelling at 738
New Scotland Ave which has served
as the residence of pastors and
their families since the founding
of Bethany Reformed Church in 1953.

The single family dwelling vacant
because the present Pastor has
purchased a retirement home
elsewhere, and has assumed
the role of guardian for a six
year old girl, the child of a friend.
(Refer to Bethany Reformed
Church for verification) 
 
The Family Promise Homeless
Program is a social  services
program NOT a ministry of
Bethany Church.
 
The single family dwelling at
738 New Scotland Ave would serve
as a "hub" for a much larger
operation that would include
housing homeless at Mater Christi
and St Sophia's Churches  and
a number of other churches
synagogues in the city and
suburbs.

One might speculate that
eventually, Family Promise
will take over Bethany 
Church
at 760 New Scotland Ave
and  the large parking lot.

A church without significant
income, a dwindling membership
and a retiring pastor is not in
a position to undertake a "new
homeless ministry".
 
Furthermore, the annual rent
Family Promise has agreed to
pay Bethany, part of which will
go to finance the Pastor's new
retirement home, will do little
to keep Bethany Church afloat.
 
The Bethany Application makes
a  veiled threat to invoke The
Federal Religious Land Use and
Institutionalized Persons Act
(RLUIPA) to strong arm a
fearful BZA into granting a
land use variance or special
permit  for the Family Promise
plan to use 738 New Scotland
Ave as hub for their homeless
social services program.
 
The Law is not to be used as a weapon
to subvert the U S Constitution, 10 th
Amendment. 
 
Approval of the Bethany-Family
Promise scheme would have an
adverse
transformational impact on this
and adjacent single family zoned
residential neighborhoods, not
only in the City of Albany.
ultimately  but in adjacent 
suburban Towns in Albany
County, the property tax bases
and financial solvency of all. 


The BZA has  compelling
reasons for upholding the
City Zoning Code and DENYING
the Bethany-Family Promise
Application APPEAL for an
"INTERPRETATION". 
 
In particular negative impact
of approving this application appeal 
on the residential integrity/quality 
of life, and home values in the
BPCNA neighborhood, one of
the few remaining  city prime residential
neighborhoods which pays the lion's share
of the property taxes that support
the city government services
and city schools. 
  
Albany is a cash strapped city
on the verge of insolvency.



The current city administration
is grasping for financial life
lines to keep the city afloat,
including installing red traffic
light cameras and turning city
finances over to the Governor's
Financial Review Board, both
acts of financial desperation 


So, now the BZA is going to
approve a use variance or 
special use .permit for a social 
program that will destroy the city
property tax base?
 
BZA granting Bethany-Family
Promise a use variance or use
permit to operate what is clearly
a social services program in a
vacant single family dwelling
in this R-1 single family residential
district ,that pays the lion's share
of proprty taxes that support city
schools and city government services
would be an irresponsible failure
of the BZA whose function is to
uphold the Albany City Zoning Code
and maintain the neighborhood 
residential integrity/quality of
life of this and similarly zoned
single family districts, which in
turn, serves to protect the city
property tax base and support for
city schools/city government services.
 
DENY The Bethany-Family Promise
Application for a use permit or
use variance for 738 New Scotland
Avenue.
 
Failure to do so, will put the
City of Albany on a non reversible
fast track to becoming Detroit on
the Hudson.

The City of Albany would be
committing Hari Kari.

Charity begins at home. The first
ministry of any church or synagogue
is to the residents of the neighborhood
wherein those Houses of Worship are
located.

Residents of the BPCNA neighborhood
and similarly zoned single family 
neighborhoods in the City of Albany
hopefully will contact the Mayor
and BZA, today, Monday and
Tuesday, March 8,9 and 10

BZA  Brad Glass Tel. 445 0754
          bglass@albanyny.gov

Mayor Sheehan  Tel  434 5100
                              Fax 434 5013

             mayor@ci.albany.ny.us



 and file statements for
the hearing record, OPPOSING
the Bethany-Family Promise
Application  and calling upon
the Mayor and BZA to DENY the
Application  for an "Interpretation"
would would amount to granting
a use variance or special use
permit to Bethany-Family Promise
contrary to the intent and purpose
of the Albany City Zoning Code 

Also, contact the Pastors of Mater
Christi and St Sophia's- tell them to
WITHDRAW from participation
in the Family Promise homeless
social services program because
of the adverse impact it will have
on this neighborhood, the city
city schools, and ultimately on
the futures of their own churches.

                                  Joe Sullivan
 
PS: Click on this link
to put all this in perspective
 
lots of homeless to care
for......... until lifeboat America
is swamped and we all go down 
in a raging sea of world poverty
 

Monday, February 23, 2015

SNEAKING INTO
THE USA AND
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

That's  a HUD Promise

Musical rendition courtesy Rusty  Humphries

 http://safeshare.tv/w/eUqDmyBbir

                            Jose Sullivan




Tuesday, March 03, 2015

YOU HAVE THE BALL
DO NOT FUMBLE OR PUNT

The TV 6 news reporter and
cameraman were very pleasant.
We did an in depth interview, the
details of which lie on the
editors cutting room floor.

Nevertheless, as you looked
at the exterior and interior of
the unoccupied parsonage 
did you wonder why Pastor
Peggy doesn't live there?

Did you think that a dying
church should sell the parsonage
and land to a nice young couple
with children from this neighborhood
who want to live here and send
their children to Mater Christi
School?

In any case, the parsonage and land
should be on the city property tax
rolls. One more tax exempt parcel
in a cash strapped city that is fast
becoming Detroit on the Hudson.

Fortunately this website provides
you with all you need to know  to 
convince the BZA and Mayor
to DENY the Bethany Application.


Read the posts since January.
Click on links that document
what I have posted. 

bpcnanews.blogspot.com 

has had a 1,000 hits in the past few
weeks, many have copied and passed
the posts along to family, neighbors
and friends.

The word is out, despite limited
media coverage.

When the recently FCC approved
so called "Net Neutrality"rules
hundred of pages, not released
to the public before the Feb 26
vote are finally released you
will see that content control
and restriction of your First
Amendment Rights and Liberty

will emerge.

Websites like this one will
disappear and you will be
left in the dark of mainstream
media coverage.

Fine Independent radio sources
like C Pooler's
FOCUS ON ALBANY
will disappear as well.

FEC rules re: "Fairness" will
also be passed with the resultant
muzzling and disappearance of
conservative talk radio.

Independent candidates will
not be able to make use of the
internet in an effort to inform
the public of their messages.

The question posed by the BZA
is too narrow   "is the Family
Promise Homeless Ministry Plan
consistent with the use of this
property( the parsonage and
church., as a house of worship"?

The answer is NO, the Family
Promise Homeless plan is not
a permitted use in an R1b
single family zoned residential
neighborhood pursuant to the
City Zoning Code.

The question is what will the
negative impact of approving
this application be on the
residential integrity/quality of
life and home values in this
neighborhood which pays the
lion's share of the property
taxes that support cash strapped
city schools, city government
services?

BZA approval  of the Family
Promise plan would be insane.

The residential integrity/quality
of life, peace and tranquility of
this, one of the last best neighborhoods
remaining in the City of Albany
will be destroyed. Homeowners
will flee, 4 sales signs will pop up
with the daffodils and tulips;
home values will drop like a rock
support for city schools and
city services will dwindle
The City budget gap will soar.

Albany will be on a non reversible
fast track to becoming Detroit on
the Hudson.

The Governor's Fiscal Review Board
a generous HUD block grant for
allowing HUD to over ride local
zoning  will not be able to prevent
this fate for one of America's oldest
cities.

Ironically, the HUD block grant
rewarding the City government
from allowing HUD to over ride
the Albany City Zoning Code
will only hasten this fate.

An avoidable fate- if only you will
rise up, attend the BZA meeting
and make your views loud and
clear to the BZA and the Mayor-

Weds, Mar 11 5:45 pm Common
Council Chambers City Hall.

Be there early, fill the very small
public seating area, sign up to
make brief, concise statements
for the record. Coordinate your
statements, so they are not
repetitive of others who
speak.

Prepare written statements
with you name, address included
hand them to the hearing Clerk
for entry into the record- before
the hearing begins.

If you can't or won't risk going
downtown -
make your views
known by phone, fax, e mail
or written letter to the Mayor
and BZA
( see contact information
earlier post this website)
 BEFORE the Hearing
 marked For Entry to the
BZA Hearing Record 3/11/15
Re: Case #1-15 4230
       Bethany Church

Car pool it down to City Hall
because parking is inadequate.
Also, their is safety in numbers.

You can skip your supper in
order to attend, and be heard

Be mindful that the Mayor
and BZA work for you. You
are not their serfs!

The Late, Great Dan O Connell
will not be able to help you
with this one.

You have to stand up for
your neighborhood, your
homes and the future of the
City of Albany.

Do it!

Thank you.

                Joe Sullivan 

PS, Homeowners in adjacent
Albany neighborhoods - this
fight is your fight too- tell the
Mayor and BZA to DENY
the Bethany Family Promise
Application.

Homeowners in the Towns
of Albany County - pay attention
you are next for the HUD grand
transformation of your nice
single family zoned neighborhoods.
Gear up to repel boarders, moves
to annex you, and more.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

CHANNEL 6 TV 
NEWS TONIGHT

Concerned homeowners in the
Buckingham Pond Crestwood
neighborhood, and adjacent
single family zoned Albany
neighborhoods, as well as 
homeowners in Guilderland
Bethlehem, Colonie and other
Albany County  Towns should
watch tonight's Channel 6 TV
News, and

read our neighborhood website

bpcnanews.blogspot.com

and listen to the Focus on Albany
interview, as well as read the
website posts since January to
learn what is coming to their
neighborhood - courtesy of
HUD and complicit local
governments.

                       Joe Sullivan

Monday, March 02, 2015

CITY OF ALBANY BZA

The City BZA has put the
Family Promise - Bethany
Reformed Church Application
back on the BZA hearing
calendar for

5:45 pm Weds, March 11
at the Common Council
Chambers, City Hall

for approval of a variance
to conduct a program at the
church and adjacent parsonage
located
at 736-760 New Scotland Ave
to serve the needs of homeless
families.

This is not a permitted use
in an R1B single family zone
pursuant to the Albany City
Zoning Code.

Contact the BZA and Mayor
Sheehan 

1. To ask that the BZA public
Hearing on this Application
be held at Mater Christi Hall
at a time and date that will
afford all concerned residents
of the Buckingham Pond
Crestwood neighborhood and
 adjacent single family zoned
residential neighborhoods, an
opportunity to attend and voice
their views.

BZA  Brad Glass Tel. 445 0754
          bglass@albanyny.gov

Mayor Sheehan  Tel  434 5100
                              Fax 434 5013

             mayor@ci.albany.ny.us

The following justify holding
the BZA hearing in the
neighborhood that would be
adversely impacted by approval
of the variance

* The time and location of the
BZA hearing do not afford an
opportunity to be heard on this
application.

* 5:45 pm is when most neighbors
are commuting to home from work
and/or are preparing their suppers

* parking is not adequate around
City Hall

* the public seating gallery of the
Common Council Chambers is
too small to accommodate the
large number of people who
will want to be heard

* there is another hearing application
on the agenda, so that means even less
public seating will be available

* the impact of approval of this
variance extends to adjacent
single family zoned neighborhoods

* there are no homeless families
in the BPCNA neighborhood

The BPCNA boundaries are
Western Ave, South Manning Blvd
The NYS Thruway, Rte 85 and
Whitehall Rd.

2.  The Bethany Reformed Church
     Family Promise variance application

      should be  WITHDRAWN
      ............ or  DENIED

Why?   UPHOLD the existing City
             Zoning Code relating to
             single family R1B residential
             zone neighborhoods

Read background posts this website
since January

Pick the reasons that appeal to you.

Should the BZA hearing on the
Bethany Reformed Church
Family Promise Variance Application
be held as scheduled on Feb 11 at
City Hall your voices will not be
heard.

Make your voices heard via
the phone, fax, e mail and Talk
1300 Radio 476 1300 from
March 3 through the 10th.

Every concerned homeowner
in the Buckingham Pond Crestwood
and adjacent single family zoned
residential neighborhoods must
make their views known.

Our neighborhoods and homes
are on the line.

                                Joe Sullivan