by Olivia Young

Bronx Community Board 8 returned from its summer recess Sept. 1. Here are five things to know about its purpose, past and how to get involved in upcoming sessions.

 

What is a community board?

A community board is an advisory body where members communicate with elected officials on behalf of residents in order to influence policy. It is the most local form of city government, and there are 59 boards across the five boroughs.

Bronx CB8’s district is similar to The Press’ coverage area — covering Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Marble Hill, Kingsbridge and Kingsbridge Heights up to the east side of the Jerome Park Reservoir. Its city representatives are Council member Eric Dinowitz, Council member Pierina Sanchez and Council member Carmen De La Rosa. Its police precinct is the 50th.

All meetings are open to the public, and a part of each meeting is reserved for the board to hear from members of the public.

Members are volunteers who live in or have a significant interest in the community, and are appointed by the borough president. Half of the members are nominated by the community district’s city council members.

Up to 50 members represent a number of committees, including public safety, land use, parks and recreation, and traffic and transportation, among others. Boards decide the number of committees.

Committees typically meet monthly, discuss relevant issues and draft resolutions, which are then voted on at a full board meeting that is also held monthly.

 

What Bronx CB8 has done in the past

Major issues Bronx CB8 has addressed in years prior include local land use and zoning, the city budget, municipal service delivery and other matters relating to constituents’ welfare, according to the board.

In 2003, the city’s department of city planning approved a plan submitted by the board called “CD 8 2000: A River to Reservoir Preservation Strategy, or a 197-A Plan.” It helped rezone various areas to prevent development that is “out of character” with the neighborhood, strengthened protections for natural features and helped the economic revitalization of West 230th Street and Broadway, according to the board.

 

Committees to look out for

Land use

The land use committee often focuses on maintaining greater Riverdale’s Special Natural Area District. SNAD is a city zoning law created in the 1970s to protect natural resources, in which developers have to adhere to stricter guidelines if they want to build. The committee regularly debates proposals.

Public safety

The public safety committee hears updated crime reports from officers at the 50th Precinct and incident reports from local fire departments. Members regularly discuss initiatives to prevent teen gun violence, and also vote on liquor licenses for current and aspiring local businesses.

Traffic and transportation

The traffic and transportation committee deals with the city’s department of transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Members address issues such as parking, potholes, street lighting and construction projects on city streets.

 

How to get involved

Residents can attend a meeting via Zoom or in person — either to listen or speak — check out past meetings on Bronx Community Board 8’s YouTube, join the mailing list by emailing bx08@cb.nyc.gov or join the board as a member. Applications for membership will reopen at the end of this year. Visit cbbronx.cityofnewyork.us/cb8 to learn more.

 

Upcoming schedule

Bronx CB8 will not be in session on Sept. 11 for Rosh Hashana, but comes back the following Monday. The board will also not be in session Sept. 21 for Yom Kippur.

Sept. 14: Law, Rules and Ethics

5676 Riverdale Ave., Suite 100, at 7:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom.

Sept. 15: Public Safety

NYPD 50th Precinct, 3450 Kingsbridge Ave., 7 p.m. in person.

Sept. 16: Environment and Sanitation

5676 Riverdale Ave., Suite 100, at 7 p.m. in person and on Zoom.

Sept. 17: Traffic and Transportation

5676 Riverdale Ave., Suite 100, at 7 p.m. in person and on Zoom.