STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Borough President Vito Fossella is seeking to rescue three Staten Island parcels of land from development, asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to utilize Environmental Bond Act funding to preserve the ecologically valuable properties.
“Staten Island faces significant development pressures, and we have observed the loss of critical woodlands and wetlands,” Fossella wrote in two separate letters to Hochul, requesting the conservation of two parcels on Van Duzer Street in Stapleton and one lot on Homer Street in Tompkinsville — which together total more than seven acres. “It is imperative to preserve the remaining natural landscapes.”
All three pieces of land are located within Serpentine Ridge, approximately 40 acres of land across the North Shore that includes glacial sinkholes, bare serpentine rock, steep, wooded hillsides and a rich wildlife habitat. The parcels also fall within Staten Island’s Special Hillsides Preservation District, created by a 1987 city zoning resolution to reduce hillside erosion, landslides and excessive storm-water run-off and guarded by special regulations for the removal of trees, grading of land and construction of driveways and private roads.
Fossella is seeking Hochul’s assistance in utilizing funds from the Environmental Bond Act to save these acres. Approved by New York State voters in November 2022, the act allocated $4.2 billion for environmental projects, including $650 million for acquiring ecologically valuable properties. Deadlines to apply for funding are next month.
“This thickly wooded, hillside parcel has a natural spring on it, and is home to hawks, eagles, deer and other wildlife,” Fossella says in his letter detailing the Homer Woods parcel. “Despite being located in the Special Hillside Preservation District, this parcel has already received the building permits that are necessary to construct a housing development on a portion of this property.”
At least 35 to 40% of Environmental Bond Act funds are required by law to be allocated to Environmental Justice Communities, and according to Fossella’s letter, these parcels meet those requirements — each located just blocks from Staten Island’s largest affordable housing complex – the Stapleton Houses – in a neighborhood with a 70% minority population.
“This densely populated neighborhood has a large, diverse citizenry yet is otherwise limited in terms of protected natural areas accessible to residents of all ages,” Fossella writes. “We support the protection of additional parcels such as this, along the Serpentine Ridge. This will bring many benefits to the community including recreation and relaxation for nearby residents, minimization of stormwater runoff, less flooding of lower lying homes, improvement of air quality, prevention of urban heat islands, noise reduction, lighting reduction, preservation of wildlife habitat and more.”
Similarly, the Van Duzer sites are adjacent to 11 heavily wooded hillside acres that are already preserved as the Serpentine Art and Nature Commons, located on a very steep hillside that traverses from Van Duzer Street to Howard Avenue, and is dotted with hiking trails and significant geological features.
“We support the expansion of the natural preserve here due to the many benefits to the community including education, recreation for nearby residents, youth programs, minimization of stormwater runoff and flooding, improvement of air quality, prevention of urban heat islands, preservation of wildlife habitat and many more,” Fossella wrote. “Clearly, these parcels along the Serpentine Ridge are especially well suited for the EBA Land Conservation grant program. We urge the earliest possible acquisition of these properties to prevent irreversible environmental damage and to fulfill the objectives of the Environmental Bond Act.”
The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.