CB7 Backs Plan to Downzone Mosholu Parkway Amid Zoning Studies

A grassroots effort to limit height restrictions for new buildings along Mosholu Parkway crossed another hurdle as city officials agreed to consider examining downzoning efforts along the parkway next year. The move comes amid Community Board 7’s independent zoning study of two neighborhoods within its borders as a way to preserve its character while stemming further development. The group won a victory at the latest CB7 Land Use/Housing Committee meeting on Feb. 15 when the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP), charged with determining the character of neighborhoods across the five boroughs, assured the community it will assess

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Although Mayor Bill de Blasio’s town hall meeting was held in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, the mayor heard from Norwood residents, who brought issues of parking and overcrowding to his attention. Throughout the event, held at In Tech Academy on Tibbett Avenue and moderated by Councilman Andrew Cohen, the mayor addressed Bronxites’ questions on national issues as well as local concerns, including immigration, healthcare and education. “This is a city where we’re passionate people. When you look at the tabloids, you look at the news, there’s a lot of feeling, a lot of emotion. And I think we

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard

By DAVID CRUZ

Customers at a CVS store in Norwood were shocked to learn one the pharmacy on East Gun Hill Road will close its doors. Stephanie Cunha, a spokesperson for CVS, confirmed the store at 310 E. Gun Hill Rd. near Perry Avenue will close on March 4. citing “a business decision.” “Customers will not experience any disruption in service,” Cunha said in a statement, adding the CVS Pharmacy at 732 Allerton Ave. will continue to “provide convenient pharmacy services to our customers.” There the pharmacy can “quickly and easily transfer their prescriptions to any other CVS location.” Outside the pharmacy, Hilda Nieves,

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Flea Market Donations Sought Donations are needed for the Bedford Mosholu Community Association flea market scheduled to be held on March 4. Bring new and used items (except clothing) to the BMCA office at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Feb. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 25 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and March 1 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230 or email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. State Job Exam Exams that qualify you for a state job in the fields of health and human services, environmental conservation, human resources, administrative analysis, and transportation will

By DAVID GREENE

Owners of vehicles stored at a public indoor parking garage in Bedford Park have been anxiously awaiting news if their vehicles were destroyed following the collapse of the facility. Police, fire and paramedics were dispatched to Dr. Parking, located at 3000 Jerome Ave. near Bedford Park Boulevard at just after 6 a.m. on Feb. 19. Officials say there were no injuries, with workers managing to escape. Investigators from the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Building’s (DOB) were investigating. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported Number 4 Trains were running at a reduced speed past the area to

By DAVID CRUZ

The long and lumbering review process for a mall directly across a mega-mall in the Bronx is underway. And while review processes involve the approval of the sitting Councilman, the real decider could be the Bronx political machine’s attorney doubling as the developer’s lobbyist. Stanley Schlein, the attorney representing the Bronx Democratic County Committee and key advisor to its chair, Marcos Crespo, is registered to speak on behalf of Grid Properties, the developer behind the proposed Baychester Square Mall. Developers are eyeing the 400,000-square-foot lot of land directly opposite the Bay Plaza Shopping Center, owned by real estate magnate Sam

Editor’s Pick Do It Your Way Van Cortlandt Jewish Center presents Tribute to Frank Sinatra performed by Steven Maglio, Feb. 26, to be held at Vladeck Hall, 74 Van Cortlandt Pk., So. Scheduled at this fund raising event will be a raffle and Chinese buffet with dessert. Entrance is free for purchase of raffle tickets only and is from 11 a.m. to noon. A kosher Chinese lunch will be served at noon followed by the show at 1 p.m., concluding with dessert and raffle drawing. The entire event costs $35 up to Feb. 21 and $40 after Feb. 21. Cost

The passing of the Right to Counsel Bill, a measure that offers pro bono attorneys to residents taking their landlords to Bronx Housing Court and relieves tenants unaware of the archaic Housing Court system that is by all intents and purposes chaotic. The New York City Council debate this agreement for two years, and have finally done right by the Bronx’s working poor. For anyone who faces the task of taking their landlord to court, they would tell you it can be overwhelming, especially for those facing eviction. Usually, landlords, particularly big name ones, do not go to court. They