Queens Community Board 14

Who We Are

Community boards play an important role in improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Your board can help with issues regarding City agencies, and plays an advisory role in land use, zoning, and capital budget matters.

The board consists of up to 50 unsalaried members appointed by the Borough President and City Councilmembers. At monthly meetings, members discuss quality of life, public safety, land use and zoning, and capital and expense budget items.

Dolores Orr serves as Chairperson, and Jonathan Gaska is the District Manager.

Community boards are the most local form of representative government in New York City, and Queens Community Board 14 serves as the direct link between the residents of the Rockaway peninsula and the municipal agencies that shape daily life. From land use and zoning to the delivery of city services, the board provides a structured forum where neighbors can voice concerns, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions that reflect the unique character of this coastal community.

The neighborhoods represented by the board stretch from the eastern reaches of Far Rockaway and Edgemere through the central beach communities of Arverne, Rockaway Beach, and Rockaway Park, then westward to Belle Harbor, Neponsit, and the tight-knit enclaves of Roxbury, Breezy Point, and Rockaway Point. Inland, Broad Channel anchors the bay side with its own distinct identity, making the district a richly varied tapestry of waterfront living.

Land use and zoning are among the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to community boards. Every proposal for new development, rezoning, or significant alteration of the built environment within the district comes before the board for review and recommendation. These advisory opinions carry weight with the Borough President and City Planning Commission, ensuring that growth aligns with the needs and aspirations of the people who call the Rockaways home.

The capital budget process offers another critical avenue for community input. Each year the board assesses the infrastructure needs of its neighborhoods and advocates for funding to improve parks, streets, schools, libraries, and other public assets. By gathering testimony from residents and working closely with elected officials, the board helps direct municipal investment toward the projects that will make the most meaningful difference in everyday life.

Quality-of-life concerns form the heart of much of the board's ongoing work. Whether the issue involves sanitation services, traffic safety, public transportation, environmental conditions along the shoreline, or access to recreational programming, the board serves as a conduit for information and a persistent advocate for responsive government. Residents are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and bring their questions directly to the table.

Committees are the engine of the board's deliberative work, each focused on a specific domain such as transportation, housing, parks, health, or public safety. These smaller working groups meet regularly to study issues in depth, hear from agency representatives, and draft recommendations for the full board to consider. Serving on a committee is an excellent way for community members to develop expertise and contribute meaningfully to the civic life of the peninsula.

The strength of a community board lies in the participation of its residents. Every person who attends a meeting, submits a comment, or raises a concern about a neighborhood condition helps shape the dialogue that guides the board's priorities. In a district defined by its proximity to the ocean and its history of resilience, that collective voice remains the most powerful tool for building a safer, more vibrant, and more connected Rockaway.