Hebrew Home not a good neighbor

To the editor:

In Dan Reingold’s comment “Seniors do need continuous care communities” (April 29) there is an expansive notion of community. Society at large and New York City in particular, should be concerned about seniors. 

It is worth remembering that Mr. Reingold’s Hebrew Home group is going to build a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) on the grounds of the former Passionist Retreat, a property they now own. Mr.  Reingold’s response is somewhat disingenuous given the facts of the zoning rules and the size of the buildings proposed by him on several public occasions. This response also belies the idea that there has been “thorough and ongoing engagement with (the) community”.

 It is also worth remembering that community also means people in a common location with a shared commitment to their neighborhood and to each other. In this neighborhood, there is a zoning constraint that the former Passionist Retreat may not be used for high rise apartment houses or multiple dwellings of any type other than single family detached residences in an R1-1 zone, especially since the region also has a Special Natural Area District (SNAD) designation. 

The reason for the zoning designation is obvious. The natural environment is precious, with ancient trees and bird-nesting areas. It could never be restored once the trees are chopped down, the grass and bushes paved.  

Additionally, there is currently a road, a single lane in each direction, along the current Hebrew Home property. This road will not be wide enough for buses, ambulances, fire and delivery trucks, along with cars carrying three shifts of additional workers that will be needed for the “CCRC” expansion of the Hebrew Home. 

Moreover, the community is home to a railroad station and a school. Commuters to the Metro-North rail station and, more importantly, school children going to the Salantar Akiba Riverdale Academy, will be put at risk.

 The Hebrew Home could continue to fulfill obligations to seniors by building a park that is open to community seniors who live in other senior facilities in the Bronx where there is not easy access to open space. Currently, the new Hebrew Home property is ”cyclone” fenced off for the first time ever.  

To the Hebrew Home, we in the community say: honor your tradition of 50 years of care to seniors by expanding your horizon to consider building prospects other than another overbuilt campus. Respect the environment and exploit ways in which this peaceful spot of land could be used for the common good of the community.

 Bruce Volpe