About Community Board # 12

Community Board #12

Location:
Bronx Community Board 12
4101 White Plains Road (near East 229th Street)
Bronx, NY 10466-3007
Phone: (718) 881-4455
Fax: (718) 231-0635

Neighborhoods: Baychester, Eastchester, Edenwald, Fish Bay, Olinville, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Woodlawn.

Chairman: Father Richard Gorman

District manager: Carmen Angueira

Cabinet meetings: Third Thursday of the month.

Board meetings: Fourth Thursday of the month beginning at 7:30 p.m.


The following information is from the Office of the Mayor - Community Assistance Unit:

KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY BOARD

The Community Boards play an important role in improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers, but many people don't know about them. We urge you to learn how your Community Board can help you, and how you may be able to help your Community Board.

Membership

Community Boards are local
representative bodies. There are 59 throughout the city. Each Board consists of up to 50 unsalaried members appointed by the Borough President, with half nominated by the City Council Members who represent the community district. Board members are selected by the Borough Presidents from among active, involved people of each community, with an effort made to assure that every neighborhood is represented. Board members must reside, work or have some other significant interest in the community.

Meetings

Boards meet once each month. At these meetings, members address items of concern to the community. Board meetings are open to the public, and a portion of each meeting is reserved for the Board to hear from members of the public. In addition, Boards regularly conduct public hearings-on the City's budget, on land use matters, and other major issues-to give the people of the community the opportunity to express their opinions.

Committees

Board committees do most of the planning and work on the issues that are acted on at Board meetings. Each Board establishes the committee structure and procedures it feels will best meet the needs of its district. Non-Board members may apply to join or work on Board committees.


COMMUNITY BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Boards have an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other matters relating to their communities' welfare.

Land Use and Zoning

Community Boards must be consulted on placement of most municipal facilities in the community and on other land use issues. They may also initiate their own plans for the growth and well being of their communities. Also, any application for a change in or variance from the zoning resolution must come before the Board for review, and the Board's position is considered in the final determination of these applications.

City Budget

Community Boards assess the needs of their own neighborhoods, meet with city agencies and make recommendations in the City's budget process to address them.

Other Community Concerns

Any problem which affects part or all of the community, from a traffic problem to deteriorating housing, is a proper concern of a Community Board.

Limitations

The Community Board, its District Manager, and its office staff serve as advocates and service coordinators for the community and its residents. They cannot order any city agency or official to perform any task, but Boards are usually successful in resolving the problems they address.