Full Board — September 12, 2012 · Brooklyn Community Board 6

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

COBBLE HILL HEALTH CENTER

380 HENRY STREET

SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

ATTENDANCE

PRESENT:

E. ANDERSEN R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM

N. BERK-RAUCH J. BERNARD D. BRAVO

F. BROWN E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE

M. CHIRICO N. COX N. DUTTA

E. FELDER P. FLEMING Y. GIRELA

D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM H. HUGHES

G. KELLY J. KLETTER M. KOLMAN

D. KUMMER N. LALLI R. LEVINE

H. LINK S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS

A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL C. PIGOTT

L. PINN G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI

M. RUIZ M. SCOTT D. SCOTTO

M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY M. SILVERMAN

B. SOLOTAIRE L. SONES E. SPICER

J. THOMPSON S. TURET M. VERRET

D. WILLIAMS

EXCUSED:

J. HEYER

ABSENT:

G. O’CONNELL, JR.

GUESTS:

HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR

K. FEDER, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE

C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE

T. SGRIGNOLI, ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE

T. SMITH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVE

J. VOGEL & O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE

J. HAMILTON, STATE SENATOR ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE

J. LEVINE, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE

D. WILEY, CONGRESS MEMBER VELÁZQUEZ’ REPRESENTATIVE

Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office 1

Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:42pm.

 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 

Board Member Glenn Kelly made a motion to accept the minutes of the June general meeting, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli.

VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 6:43 P.M.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………....….DANIEL KUMMER

Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by welcoming everyone back from the summer hiatus.

Chairperson Kummer announced that everyone should have received their committee appointment letters. If you did not, or if there was a problem with your appointment, please let District Manager Craig Hammerman or myself know immediately. I’m very pleased to announce that we have some additions to our Executive Committee. Paige Bellenbaum will now be co-chairing our Human Services Committee with Benjamin Solotaire; Norman Cox will be chairing our Housing Committee; Sayar Lonial will be chairing our Public Safety Committee, and; Mark Shames returns to our Executive Committee as the Chair of our Environmental Protection Committee. I want to thank these board members for agreeing to take on these new roles and I look forward to working with them, and all of you, as this busy year ahead of us progresses.

Chairperson Kummer reported that Board Member Peter Fleming will continue in his role as Chair of our Election Committee. Letters will be sent to every board member outlining our election procedures. We do have term limits, as officers are only permitted to run for a maximum of four consecutive one-year terms in the same office. All of our current officers are eligible to run again for their seats in 2013.

Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that in a series of meetings over the last few months we have been working with IKEA, the South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, and the Red Hook Initiative, to facilitate stronger ties between IKEA and Red Hook so that more people can take advantage of potential employment opportunities locally. We’re pleased to hear that these groups have continued to meet on their own and are finding ways to work together and support one another. I’d especially like to thank our Economic Development Chair Rick Luftglass and Human Services Co-Chair Benjamin Solotaire for making time to attend these meetings and encouraging us to play a more pro-active role in this area.

Chairperson Kummer advised that he attended the State Liquor Authority’s (SLA) hearing on June 20th on the Barclays Arena and presented testimony on behalf of our board. As a follow-up, District Manager Hammerman attended the SLA hearing on August 29th where they closed the record and decided the matter. The applicant represented that they had met the conditions that we had listed in our conditional approval of their application, with the exception of the post-event service in the VIP areas of the arena which we had not considered as part of our review process. SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen questioned the applicant to see whether an absolute service cut-off time of 10pm, as suggested by some members of the community, would be harmful to the business model for the arena. The applicant stated that it would. The Chairman then asked how many events they expected would last past midnight and would, therefore require the need for them to be able to serve alcohol up to 2am. The Chairman ultimately suggested that instead of being allowed to serve up to 2am, a condition that we had proposed and the operators had accepted, that instead they only be permitted to serve up to 1am since it would not infringe on any of the planned events at this time. The Chairman also promised that the SLA would 2

be open to reexamining this restriction in as little as 6 months should it proves to be too constrictive to their operation.

DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN

District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that the NYPD arrested six alleged drug dealers and arrested six others in a joint sweep at the Red Hook Houses on Wednesday, September 5th, wrapping up a six-month investigation titled "Operation Red Dawn" by the NYPD and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. As a follow-up Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and NYPD Housing Bureau Chief Joanne Jaffe will be meeting residents and taking questions at a town hall-style meeting at the Red Hook Community Justice Center on September 19th.

District Manager Hammerman reported to the Board that Mayor Michael Bloomberg on behalf of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has sent a letter to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn asking the City Council to formally change the boundaries of the 78th Police Precinct to include the entire Atlantic Yards development area and also gives it jurisdiction over the area between Vanderbilt Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, from Hanson Place in Fort Greene, all the way to (and including) Plaza Street East. There will be a broader and more robust opportunity to review all of this next year because that is the decennial review of the New York City Community District boundaries.

District Manager Hammerman advised the board that the Department of Transportation has determined that a speed hump on President Street between Smith and Court Streets is a good candidate for installation, and denied a speed hump on Hoyt Street between President and Carroll Streets.

District Manager Hammerman informed the board of an emergency condition at 440 5th Avenue in the Park Slope section of our district. Department of Buildings has ordered the owner to remedy this situation by demolition the building.

District Manager Hammerman reported to the Board that on July 26th a lightning bolt struck the 16-foot northwest pinnacle of Christ Church causing the stone structure to collapse and bringing down part of its scaffolding. The debris struck Richard Schwartz, a prosecutor in the State Attorney General’s office. He was pronounced dead at SUNY Downstate University Hospital at the Long Island College Hospital. Due to an unstable building, the following streets will be closed indefinitely to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic: Clinton Street from Degraw Street to Kane Street; Kane Street from Strong Place to Court Street.

District Manager Hammerman advised the board that the district office is now wired for wireless. We are also working on other forms of technology upgrades in the office before the end of the year.

District Manager Hammerman ended his report by inviting everyone to the next The Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Committee Meeting on October 15th where we will hear a presentation by the consultants that the Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. have hired to perform our Gowanus Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Study. The BOA program provides municipalities and community-based organizations with assistance, up to 90 percent of the eligible project costs, to complete revitalization plans and implementation strategies for areas or communities affected by the presence of Brownfield sites, and site assessments for strategic Brownfield sites.

Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials representatives

Kai Feder, representing Borough President Markowitz, informed the board of various upcoming events: 3

 Brooklyn Book Festival, Sunday, September 23rd from 10am-6pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall.  “Take Your Man to the Doctor” health care campaign October 2nd. All men should go to their doctors to have an annual check-up and develop a relationship with their health care providers.  Brooklyn Summit & Youth Tribute, Thursday, September 27th from 5pm-9pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, invited everyone to the reopening of the Carroll Gardens Library, which has been dormant all summer for asbestos removal and tech renovations, on September 4th. She also invited everyone on September 16th to the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket on Smith and Carroll Streets where Councilmember Lander and State Senator Squadron will face off in a showdown of who makes the better hamburger? They will be assisted by two teen sous chefs from local high schools. They will use the event to highlight the success of the NYC Greenmarket program, including the fact that markets now accept EBT payments. She also informed the Board that on August 22nd, the City Council denied Buschenschank restaurant’s application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at 320 Court Street between Degraw and Sackett Streets. She ended by inviting everyone to again participate in the Councilman’s Participatory Budgeting process which gives New Yorkers the power to decide how to spend $1 million of their tax dollars on projects in the neighborhood. Board Member Benjamin Solotaire also mentioned that Council Member Stephen Levin is also participating in the Participatory Budgeting process this year.

Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, reported that The Assemblywoman in her news letter talks about State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s report, "An Economic Snapshot of the Greater Downtown Brooklyn Area," which was released this summer and shows that business and job growth, education and cultural institutions as well as the development of park space in the area have grown by more than 18 percent between 2003 and 2010, higher than the rest of Brooklyn and much higher than the city as a whole. She also reported that on September 13th the Park Slope Library will be reopening for the first time since October 2009 and the Carroll Gardens Library was re-opened on September 4 after a summer-long closure for needed roof repairs. Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library invite the community to get involved. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool was a huge success this summer. The pool was located near Pier 2 and included a sandy beach with 25 lounge chairs and 10 picnic tables with umbrellas. The site also includes a food and drink concession, showers and restrooms. She ended by announcing that the Assemblywoman would again sponger “Free Flu Shots” on October 15th & 16th from 10am–1pm at her office at 341 Smith Street. Appointments are required.

Tonice Sgrignoli, representing Assembly Member James Brennan, reported to the Board that the Assemblyman was sponsoring a community forum titled “High-Stakes Testing” – the use and misuse of test results in NYS School System. The forum will be on October 3rd from 7-9pm at Temple Beth El-Elohim.

Jordan Levine, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, also stated that the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool was a huge success this summer. He also announced that the MTA will make major bus and train service expansions and restorations in and between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Additionally, the MTA will permanently extend the G train to Church Avenue. Other service changes include B24 weekend service, M21 weekend service, B69 weekend service, and B57 service extended into Red Hook. The Senator is once again working to try and persuade Macy's to bring the fireworks back to the East River. The Senator is also sponsoring “Free Flu Shots” on September 19th from 10am–1pm at the Eileen Dugan Senior Center. He ended by informing the Board that the Senator has released his fourth annual Parent Resource Guide. The guide provides parents and educators with a comprehensive listing of educational and government resources, civic and community services, health care resources, cultural and recreational programs, and preschool, day care and summer camp programs.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS 

PUBLIC SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE

………………………………………………....GARY REILLY, CHAIR

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly reported that the committee reviewed two unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewals at 160 7th Avenue and 149 4th Avenue.

Motion: by Board Member Nica Lalli, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones;

Recommendation to approve an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewal submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Park Slope MP Company, Inc. at 160 7th Avenue (between 1st Street/Garfield Place) to permit 7 tables and 14 seats. Recommendation to approve an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewal submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of, ACT 718 at 149 4th Ave (between Butler Street andDouglass Street) to permit 8 tables and 18 seats.

Board Member Monique Verret stated that the sidewalk is always congested at 160 7th Avenue due to street furniture and bikes. She asked if there was an 8-foot clearance for pedestrians. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly stated yes.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:18 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly also reported that the committee reviewed an on-premises liquor license alteration application at 289 5th Avenue.

Motion: by Board Member Nica Lalli, seconded by Board Member Suzanne Turet; Recommendation to approve an on-premises liquor license alteration application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of MHRP Hospitality Inc.at 289 5th Avenue (between 1st Street/2nd Streets).

VOTE: 40 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:20 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly further reported that the committee reviewed an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewal at 149 7th Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve an unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application renewal submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of The Bell House at 149 7th Street (between 2nd Avenue/3rd Avenue) to permit 5 tables and 20 seats.

VOTE: 40 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:22 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly additionally reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 188 Prospect Park West. 5

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Pavilion Park Slope Cinemas 9, LLC at 188 Prospect Park West (southwest corner at 14th Street).

Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch asked what the hours of service were. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly stated 5-11pm. Board Members Suzanne Turet asked if they were renovating the theater. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly stated yes. Board Member Hildegaard Link stated that each patron would only be allowed 3 drinks and no drinks would be served after the last movie. Board Member Lalli spoke in favor of the motion stating that she does not want condos at this location.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:29 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Reilly additionally reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 213 Smith Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of JJT Hospitality LLC at 213 Smith Street (between Baltic Street/Butler Street).

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the construction of new townhouse buildings at 110-120 Congress Street and the restoration of buildings at 122-128 Congress Street, collectively known as 118 Congress Street, (southeast corner Congress/Hicks Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following conditions:  The old building stoops be made of a more appropriate material, the metal stoops

presented are not in keeping with the historic nature of the district.

 Roof addition on old buildings be pulled back so to be made invisible from street.  Fenestration on first and second floors of new building (over the garages), be made to match-up with the upper floors.  On the new building replace the casement window treatments with double-hung wood or at least something more appropriate to the historic district.  On the new building window sills and lentils be added to all windows.  Garage doors not be made of modern materials and made to more closely resemble old carriage house doors.  Front doors on new building are more in keeping with row houses, i.e., no side lights.

VOTE: 40 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION WITHOUT CAUSE

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:48 P.M.

Land Use Committee Chair Fleming also reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for a rear yard addition at 285 Clinton Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a rear yard addition at 285 Clinton Street (between Baltic/Kane Streets) Cobble Hill Historic District.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:53 P.M.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new building at 437 Henry Street (between Degraw/Kane Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following condition that the rear bay window is to be made less starkly modern with fenestration more in keeping with that of a teahouse and made of materials and in a color consistent with the district.

Board Member Mark Shames stated that this application was already approved at LPC and all we are doing is ratifying it.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:56 P.M.

Land Use Committee Chair Fleming additionally reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for alterations to the first floor primary façade and for corrections regarding LPC Notice of Violation for work done without a permit to the rooftop parapets and bulkhead at 177 Pacific Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for alterations to the first floor primary façade and for corrections regarding LPC Notice of Violation for work done without a permit to the rooftop parapets and bulkhead at 177 Pacific Street (between Clinton/Court Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following conditions:  That the façade alteration be approved as presented.  Reject the legalization as presented.  That the committee by way of comment recommends to the applicant that it reduce the bulkhead by a third,  That the railing and parapet be approved,  That the air conditioning room is removed and any other placement for AC on roof not is at all visible.

Board Member Sayar Lonial asked how visible from the street the roof additions were. Land Use Committee Chair Fleming stated it was very visible.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:00 P.M.

Land Use Committee Chair Fleming reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the removal and replacement of existing store front lighting, metal trim, signage and awning at 236 Court Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the removal and replacement of existing store front lighting, metal trim, signage and awning at 236 Court Street (between Warren Street/Baltic Streets) Cobble Hill, Historic District.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:02 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of banners and interpretative signage at Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of banners and interpretative signage at Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place (southeast corner 8th Avenue/Garfield Place), Park Slope Historic District with the condition that Congregation Beth Elohim agrees to repair any damage that may be caused when the signage is removed.

Board Member Monique Verret asked how much of the sidewalk will the sign take up. Landmarks Committee Chair Levine stated not much.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:06 P.M.

PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE……...............NICA LALLI, CO-CHAIR

...………...GLENN KELLY, CO-CHAIR

Parks Committee Co-Chairperson Nica Lalli and Glenn Kelly reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the proposed final design presented by the New York Restoration Project for the Carroll Street Community Garden located at 7 Denton Place.

Motion: Committee;

Recommendation to approve the proposed final design presented by the New York Restoration Project for the Carroll Street (aka Gil Hodges) Community Garden located at 7 Denton Place (southeast corner Denton Place/Carroll Street).

VOTE: 40 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:08 P.M.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE…….............................................THOMAS L. MISKEL, CO-CHAIR

Transportation Committee Chairperson Thomas Miskel reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposal by the Department of Transportation for various pedestrian safety improvements at the Bartel- Pritchard Square traffic circle. 10

Chairperson Kummer recognized City Council Member Brad Lander

Council Member Brad Lander began by thanking the Board for supporting DOT changes on the Bartel- Pritchard Square traffic circle, 14th & 15th Street bike lanes, and Hicks Street. He informed the Board that the City Council denied Buschenschank restaurant’s application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at 320 Court Street. He also informed the Board that he wrote a letter to City Planning asking them to explain the definition of “Minor Modification” as it relates to the Toll Brothers site. He invited everyone to again participate in his Participatory Budgeting process which gives New Yorkers the power to decide how to spend $1 million of their tax dollars on projects in the neighborhood. He also asked everyone to get involved in the Redistricting process in which political districts are redrawn in order to adjust for population changes according to the most recent U.S. Census. These changes affect how many representatives a particular area might have nationally, statewide or citywide, which can also affect the allocation of funds. Also available on the city’s website are preliminary draft maps that show the commission’s current revisions (adjusted for population) alongside the current makeup of the City Council districts. Also, free and online mapping software will be available on the city’s website for people who want to submit their own ideas for how the city should draw up the lines. He ended by inviting everyone on September 16th to the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket on Smith and Carroll Streets where he and State Senator Squadron will face off in a showdown of who makes the better hamburger.

 COMMUNITY SESSION 

Robert McCool, representing the Fifth Avenue Committee’s Foreclosure Counseling Network stated that the non-profit group Neighbors Helping Neighbors a housing counseling organization has joined the Fifth Avenue Committee as an affiliate. The mission is to empower low and moderate income Brooklyn residents to secure quality housing and build financial assets. For more information please call 718-237-2017 ext. 151.

Nashtassia Alexis, representing the Cobble Hill Health Center invited everyone to their Adopt-a-Grandparent Carnival on September 23rd. The carnival was set up to make a difference in the lives of someone who is elderly or disabled.

Evelyn Rodriguez, Baltic Street resident informed the Board that the school is working on their school yard in the late evenings which is disturbing their neighbors and asked if the Board could intercede for the residents and find out what’s going on and how long will it last. Chairperson Kummer asked her to speak to Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch who could help them out.

 NEW/OTHER BUSINESS 

Board Member Andrea McKnight asked if the Chair could explain the procedural motion “Calling the Question.” Chairperson Kummer explained that once someone calls the question and it is seconded all discussion stops and a vote is taken on closing the discussion. If it passes, then a vote is taken on the motion.

Board member Roger Rigolli asked if the Board could create a Certificate of Appreciation to be given to deserving groups or individuals who make a difference in our communities. Chairperson Kummer stated that we defer to the elected officials for such items.

Board member Lou Sones invited everyone to come to Atlantic Antic on September 30th.

Board member Robert Levine informed the Board that MTA was taking away litter baskets from subway stations. He asked if anything could be done about this. Chairperson Kummer stated that he would ask the Transportation Committee to bring this up with our MTA representative.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Paige Bellenbaum; To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE: 41 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:50P.M.

Minutes submitted into the district office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on October 1, 2012.