Letters to the Editor

Diesel dangers

To The Editor:

Neighbors Against N.O.I.S.E. was glad to see your front-page story on the Board of Standards and Appeals hearing on the telecom hotel at 60 Hudson St. (news article, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, “City grilled on Tribeca diesel permit”). Your readers may be interested to know how the session ended: the board asked both sides to provide additional materials and scheduled a second hearing for May 10. This is good news for those who want to see the Buildings Department withdraw the waiver it granted 60 Hudson St., which allows the storage of more diesel fuel on upper floors than would otherwise be legal. We see these hearings as an important step toward dealing with the severe problems of fire hazard, noise, and pollution that 60 Hudson St. imposes on the surrounding community.  Concerned residents are urged to attend the hearing on May 10 to show their support.

Your article states that only a portion of the fuel at 60 Hudson St. is subject to regulation. Neighbors Against N.O.I.S.E. challenges this interpretation. Under the regulations for bulk fuel storage, large amounts of diesel fuel cannot be located within 1,000 feet of a subway station or a school or within 250 feet of a public park. The more than 80,000 gallons of fuel stored in 60 Hudson St. should be subject to these provisions – the building is right next to a subway line, within 1,000 feet of two subway stations and four nursery schools, within 250 feet of a public park, and in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The Buildings Department contends that these rules apply only to fuel stored for sale. Why is fuel stored for sale in greater need of protection than fuel stored in a sensitive telecommunications building smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood? It doesn’t make sense.

Tim Lannan

President, Neighbors Against N.O.I.S.E.

Rivington shul