BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
LANDMARK/LAND USE COMMITTEE
MAY 31, 2012
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
J. ARMER P. BLAKE W. BLUM P. FLEMING G. KELLY R. LEVINE S. MILLER M. MURPHY R. SLOANE E. SPICER B. STOLTZ D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
T. MISKEL A. REEVES M. SHAMES
L. SONES
ABSENT:
M. DEPALMA E. GOTTLIEB G. O’CONNELL
R. RIGOLLI E. SHIPLEY
*** MINUTES ***
The meeting was called to order at 6:22 PM. There were 10 members present.
Madelyn made a motion to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to hold decision until after full board votes seconded by Jerry Armer.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for excavation of front yard, installation of new steps, lower window openings at front façade, alterations to ironwork and replacement siding and new window locations at penthouse at 439-441 Henry Street (between Kane/Degraw Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
At 6:33 PM – 11 members present.
All work presented is proposed for the front of the building: • Remove paint and repoint brick • Replace all windows with 2/2 wood Marvin windows • Replace 539 Penthouse vinyl siding with Hardi Plank clapboards • Propose improvements to tenant ground floor apartments • Excavate and match window openings to 443 Henry Street • Restore and replace iron fence around building perimeter • Restore stoop newel post and railing if possible
Discussion: Q: Jerry Armer asked whether Hardi Plank is on the back of the penthouse? A: They plan to do it when funds are available and access is possible.
Q: Jerry asked will there be a change to the penthouse windows? A: Will replace 2 double hung windows with patio doors.
Q: Roy Sloane asked about newel posts – would not want 1890’s type post. A: They plan to search for a salvaged historically accurate iron post.
Q: Steven Miller asked about the front excavation and questions why it should be so deep. It is like a moat.
Q: Jerry Armer asked about garden level windows/AC units/and planters. All of these are visible from the street. Would not like to establish this precedent in the Cobble Hill Historic District.
Q: Peter Fleming asked whether the ground level is habitable space? A: Yes
Roy Sloane objected to creating a moat in front of the building. Built in AC units are a problem.
Jerry Armer made a motion for conditional approval – no objection to windows, or front façade, or penthouse, or lowering the perimeter fence. We do object to AC openings and iron grill work in front façade and to the depth of the front excavation which should not exceed 3 feet. These items do not contribute to and instead detract from the Cobble Hill Historic District. The motion was seconded by Peter Fleming.
Roy Sloane offered a friendly amendment that the Landmark Preservation Commission should pay special attention to the newel post. Jerry Armer accepted the amendment.
Steven Miller offered a friendly amendment to match the excavation of 443 and to match the height of the window openings to 443.
Robert Levine called the question.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the legalization of previously installed ironwork at 326A President Street (between Smith/Hoyt Streets), Carroll Gardens Historic District.
Laura Victoire, the homeowner hopes to remove a violation for a stoop railing which had been installed before they purchased the house.
Jerry Armer made the motion to approve the legalization seconded by Pauline Blake. Robert Levine called the question.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the addition of a gas lamp post in the front areaway and replacement ironwork at 110 Berkeley Place (hetween 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.
Michael Boccardi, homeowner, has already restored the façade and replaced the windows. They propose to install a gas lantern and replace the iron railings. 5 other homes on the block have lanterns. They would like to use similar newel posts and balusters and railing as exist in a nearby historic district building on 7th Avenue.
Community member points out that the lamp posts were only installed in the 1960s. Dolly Williams thinks the lamp post is fine. Glenn Kelly suggested a molded aluminum base to fit better into the historic district. Robert Levine likes the gas lanterns.
Steven Miller made a motion to approve the iron work but disapprove the gas lamp. Bill Blum seconded the
motion.
• Glenn Kelly thinks the lamp fits in • Robert Levine likes them • Peter Fleming likes the lamps
VOTE: 3…..YEAS 8…..NAYS
MOTION DENIED
Jerry Armer made a motion for conditional approval of iron railing work and lamp post with the condition that the lamp post have some historical detail. Dolly Williams seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the expansion of a sidewalk tree pit in front of 100 Park Place (hetween 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.
Would like to expand the tree pit at 100 Park Place. This will improve safety by removing a trip hazard caused by raised bluestone flags around the tree. Parks Department recommended a 5 foot by 10.6 inch tree pit for this London Plane sycamore.
Bill Blum made a motion to approve cutting the bluestone sidewalk to 5 feet by 10 feet. Madelaine Murphy seconded the motion. Robert Levine called the question
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Bill Blum questioned the conflict between DOT, LPC and NYC Parks Forestry. We should resolve this. Roy Sloane supports Bill’s concern and would like to work toward a guideline for street trees. Jerry Armer suggested we ask.
Jerry Armer made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and seconded by Madelaine Murphy. Bill Blum said that he should have been officially excused.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
A motion was made by Jerry Armer and seconded by Madelaine Murphy to adjourn at 7:38 PM
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Minutes submitted by Glenn Kelly.