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Announcements From the Public Officials of District 23



Weprin Urges Crackdown On Illegal Apartments

The city needs more building inspectors and stiffer penalties to combat a dangerous jump in the number of buildings being subdivided into illegal apartments, a Queens councilman said yesterday.
"Single-family homes are not wired electrically to accommodate three and four families," Councilman David Weprin said.

Developers and contractors "have become very savvy in avoiding fines and violations," said Weprin, a Democrat.

He presented a five-point plan that would allow community board managers and City Council members to submit complaints and sign the affidavits needed for Housing Department inspectors to conduct searches.

Current law requires neighbors to blow the whistle on illegal conversions.

Weprin also proposed increased penalties for violators and a law change that would give the buildings commissioner the power to deny permits to owners with outstanding fines. The plan also calls for extra inspectors.

"Anywhere in the city where there are single-family homes you have this problem," said Weprin. "These alarming trends are fast becoming a citywide emergency."



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THE OFFICIAL WORD
FOR DISTRICT 23

Weprin Urges Crackdown On Illegal Apartments
(Mar 15, 2004)

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