Club Phenomenon Application On Board 1 Agenda Not Heard
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Club Phenomenon was padlocked by District Attorney Richard Brown last year. But the notorious establishment in Woodside may be trying to re-open.

An application for a cabaret license was submitted by the Sediray Corporation for 62-05 30th Ave., the location of the defunct club, and appeared on the agenda of the December meeting of Community Board 1.

However, the cabaret license request, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs, was not heard by the board. Chairperson Vinicio Donato said the item had been removed from the agenda. "We don't have [a cabaret license] before us, we may never have it before us," said Donato.

At least three homicides and numerous shootings were related to Club Phenomenon. After undercover police officers were sold drugs and offered sex for money in the club, the Queens Vice Enforcement Unit and the Department of Buildings raided and closed down the club on Dec. 14, 2006.

In other business, a request for a modification of bulk regulations to legalize construction already underway of a three-story, two-family residence at 32-15 60th St. that is about 75 percent complete, but has been ordered stopped by the Department of Buildings (DOB), was denied.

The lot is 25 x 100 feet less than the required 40-x-100 foot lot and existed prior to 1961. But it was owned jointly with an adjoining tract of land. The vote was 25 to 11 to deny the variance.

"The zoning and building code are quite complex," said Zoning Committee Chair John Carusone. Initial building plans were approved by DOB on July 3, 2006. "The Buildings Department should take some responsibility for what they do," Carusone said.

An amendment to the building code regarding required widths of stairwells in buildings taller than 125 feet (about 12 stories) was unanimously approved. New provisions change widths from the current 36- inch wide standard to 44 inches, an increase of 8 inches.

"The goal is to achieve greater safety in taller buildings," Joy Chen of the Department of City Planning said.

The zoning and parks committee also submitted their recommendations for the Street Tree Amendment to the zoning code that was approved at the November board meeting pending the committee's stipulations.

An application to renew an enclosed sidewalk cafe with 11 tables and 22 seats at 31-19 Steinway St. (Lite Bites & Grill) was approved. An application to renew an unenclosed sidewalk cafe for 20 tables and 40 seats at 37-01 30th Ave. (Grand Cafe) was tabled until the January 15, 2008 board meeting.

The following Multi- Block/Multi-Day Street Festivals for 2008 were approved:

Central Astoria LDC - June 22 on Steinway Street between 28 & 34 Avenue (1 day, 4 blocks).

St. Demetrios Cathedral - May 14-19 on 30 Drive between 30 & 31 Street (May 14 for set-up, May 19 for dismantle, 1 block, 6 days).

Broadway Astoria Merchants & Professionals Association-

•May 26 on Broadway between Crescent and 47 Street (1 day 17 blocks).

•September 28 on Broadway between Crescent and 47 Street (1 day, 17 blocks).

Dutch Kills Civic Association - May 31 on 36 Avenue between 29 and 35 Street (1 day, 6 blocks).

St. Antonio Abate Society of Castrofilippo- June 25 - 29 (June 25 set-up) on Ditmars Boulevard between 35 and 38 Streets (5 days, 3 blocks).

Friends of Community Board 1- July 13 on 30 Avenue between 29 and 42 Streets (1 day, 13 blocks).

St. Irene Chrysovalantou Church- July 24-27 on 23 Avenue from 35 to 37 Streets and on 36 Street from 23 Avenue to under the Amtrak overpass (4 days, 2 1/2 blocks).

114th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol- July 27 on Broadway between Steinway and 48 Street (1 day, 7 blocks).

Steinway Street B.I.D.-August 10 on Steinway Street between 28 and 34 Avenue (1 day, 4 blocks).

30th Avenue Business Association-September 1 on 30 Avenue between 29 and 42 Streets (1 day, 4 blocks)

Hellenic Orthodox Traditionalist Church of America (St. Markella)- September 18-21 on 26 Street from 23 Avenue to under the Amtrak trestles (4 days, 1/2 block).