BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
JOHN JAY EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS
237 7TH AVENUE, AUDITORIUM
JUNE 12, 2013
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
P. BELLENBAUM N. BERK-RAUCH J. BERNARD
D. BRAVO F. BROWN C. CALABRESE
SR. R. CERVONE N. COX E. FELDER
P. FLEMING Y. GIRELA V. HERAMIA
G. KELLY A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER
R. LEVINE H. LINK R. LUFTGLASS
D. MAZZUCA A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL
L. PINN M. RACIOPPO G. REILLY
R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ D. SCOTTO
M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY M. SILVERMAN
B. SOLOTAIRE E. SPICER J. STRABONE
S. TURET D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
R. BASHNER J. HEYER M. KOLMAN
S. LONIAL P. MINDLIN M. SCOTT
L. SONES
ABSENT:
E. ANDERSON E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ D. GIULIANO
R. GRAHAM H. HUGHES G. O’CONNELL, JR.
C. PIGOTT J. THOMPSON
GUESTS:
K. FEDER, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE
M. SARCI, COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE
C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
L. WHEELOCK, ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE
T. SMITH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN’S REPRESENTATIVES
J. VOGEL, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
Z. OTT, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office.
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Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:55pm.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………....….DANIEL KUMMER
Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by welcoming our newest Community Board members who are joining us tonight for the first time. He also thanked Nica Lalli, Monique Verret and Neena Dutta for their service as they have all opted not to reapply for membership and are therefore no longer serving as board members. Tonight our ranks swell back up to 50 members, we are at capacity and we have 7 new members. Our new members are: Christina Calabrese (BP) of Cobble Hill; Vilma Heramia (39), Executive Director of the Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. and member of our Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing committee; Ariel Krasnow (BP) of Carroll Gardens who works at the Old American Can Factory in Gowanus and serves on our Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing committee; David Mazzuca (BP) of Cobble Hill; Philip Mindlin (33) of Carroll Gardens who also serves on our Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing committee; Mike Racioppo (BP) of Carroll Gardens; and, returning as a Board Member after a hiatus of several years, Jeff Strabone (39) of Cobble Hill. If you are new to the board, I’d suggest that you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with District Manager Craig Hammerman who could answer any questions you might have and quickly get you acclimated.
Chairperson Kummer reminded the Board that application forms for Committee Membership have been sent out and are due next week. It is generally my preference to give our members their top choices so please complete and return them to the district office as quickly as possible. I will rely on the information you provide in your application to make appointments to our committees. Appointments are for a one-year term effective September 1st. We would like to get appointment letters out in early August.
Chairperson Kummer highlighted a couple of important items that will be discussed at our next Transportation/Public Safety committee meeting. At that meeting we will have a brief presentation from representatives for Forest City Ratner Companies on the effectiveness of their Traffic Demand Management initiatives. If you would like to learn more about the actual traffic impacts associated with the opening of the Barclays Center, see the data about how people are arriving and leaving, and have any ideas to offer on how things can be further improved, this would be a good meeting to attend. Also on the agenda that evening, we will have a representative from the Office of Emergency Management who will be briefing us on disaster preparation. They will be unveiling their newest hurricane evacuation plans which are especially relevant to our district since we regularly experience flooding in our Gowanus and Red Hook waterfront communities. The committee meeting will take place at 6:30pm on Thursday, June 20th at the 78th Police Precinct, 65 Sixth Avenue (between Bergen/Dean Streets).
Chairperson Kummer congratulated Board Member Yvonne Girela who was married on May 22nd. On behalf of the board he wished her many years of good health and happiness.
Chairperson Kummer thanked Board Members Gary Reilly, Mark Shames, Glenn Kelly, Lou Sones and Joseph Porcelli who recently met in a working session with myself, District Manager Craig Hammerman and Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch, to review our existing Liquor License Application Questionnaire. We got some really good, thoughtful feedback and our district office is in the process of revising our forms. The information we collect from applicants, and the format we receive the information in, should help our committee in their review of applications in the future which, ultimately, means a more efficient and effective process.
Chairperson Kummer ended his report by reminding the board that in the event that we must act on matters of a time-sensitive nature, our Executive Committee is empowered to meet and act on behalf of the full board to ratify any recommendations from our committees. We do this so that the board can take July and August off as
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we traditionally do. We already have an Executive Committee meeting scheduled for July to deal with any Landmarks and Permits & Licenses items that will be reviewed later this month.
“PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARDS”
Kai Feder, our liaison to the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, conveyed Borough President Markowitz’ sincere appreciation to all Board Members for their tireless efforts in working to ensure that the quality of life for the residents of Community Board 6 is improved and enhanced. He then presented the “Perfect Attendance Awards” to the Board Members of Brooklyn Community Board 6 who achieved perfect attendance records during calendar year 2012. Award recipients included: Richard Bashner, Norman Cox, Peter Fleming, Glenn Kelly, Thomas Miskel, Gary Reilly, Roger Rigolli, Matthew Ruiz, Mark Shames, Elizabeth Shipley, and Lou Sones. Kai ended by inviting all new members on June 26th at 5:30pm to the new board member orientation and swearing in at Borough Hall.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the Board that the Department of Transportation has advised us that they plan to move ahead with the Mill Street extension across Hamilton Avenue, using DOT in-house resources in late summer/early fall of this year. This project was presented to the Community Board 6 Transportation Committee and was unanimously supported by the full Board at our December 14, 2011 meeting. The project will create much needed connectivity between Red Hook and Carroll Gardens and improve access between the Red Hook Houses and the closest subway station at Smith and 9th Streets. It will enable MTA-NYCT to streamline its B61 and B57 bus routes between Red Hook and the Smith/9th Station. They will prepare a one-page project flyer for distribution shortly before implementation which will be widely shared once received.
District Manager Hammerman informed the board of a new service offered by the United States Postal Service at the Cadman Plaza Station, it’s called “gopost” - a new, convenient way to receive and ship packages. GoPost units are automated, secured, self-service parcel lockers placed in convenient locations where you can pick up or ship packages 24/7 at no additional cost to the consumer. For more information go to https://tools.usps.com/go/EPLAction!input.
District Manager Hammerman reported to the Board that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the CUNY School of Public Health will randomly select 3,000 New Yorkers in all five boroughs to participate in the New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey or NYC HANES. We will ask them to answer questions about their health and to take a brief physical exam that includes free lab tests. Each individual will receive a stipend of $100.00. When NYC HANES was first conducted in 2004, they found out how many New Yorkers were at risk for heart disease, how many had diabetes, and how many of those with diabetes were being effectively treated. They also learned that New Yorkers were breathing in more second- hand smoke than other people around the country, and that some groups had higher levels of mercury in their blood. For more information got to http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/data/nyc-hanes.shtml.
District Manager Hammerman advised the Board that Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch and I met with Kevin Jeffrey, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner of the Parks Department, Captain Jeffrey Schiff, Commanding Officer of the 76th Precinct, and Captain Carlos Valdez, Commanding Officer of PSA1 to review and discuss last year’s problems with closing down some special events in our local parks. We reviewed the protocols and discussed strategies to prevent recurrences of last year’s difficulties. They will be meeting with some of the organizers of large events to help them understand that we would like to see well-run events that build and unite the community rather than poorly run events that can divide them.
District Manager Hammerman also reported that he and other District Managers met with new Brooklyn Borough Assistant Chief Owen J. Monaghan to discuss the importance of the NYPD use of technology/social 3
media tools to stay linked with the community. He also had the opportunity to share with the group the innovative program started by the commander of the 76th Precinct, “Spot It to Secure it” in which a team of four police officers will patrol a selected area of the 76th Precinct and look for parked cars where iPhones, iPads, laptops, or wrapped packages are left on the seats. The officers will snap a picture and mail it to the car's owner with a form letter. They will also be checking apartment building doors to see if they are locked. If one is, the landlord will be getting a letter from the NYPD encouraging him to make sure the door is locked at all time.
District Manager Hammerman ended his report by informing the Board that Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch and I met with Council Member Brad Lander, representative from Assembly Member Joan Millman’s office, Parks Department, DDC and DOT to discuss the transition of the land that is currently being used as a staging area on west side of Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw Streets by the Gowanus Facilities Upgrade project and the Reconstruction of Columbia Street project. Since both of those projects are coming to a close we would like to reintroduce a conversation that began several years ago to transition the property into a public park with open space where the community could enjoy.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Glenn Kelly made a motion to accept the minutes of the May’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Rick Luftglass.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:21 P.M.
Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials representatives
Metin Sarci, representing Council Member Steven Levin reported that due to New York City "blackout" rules that prohibit certain types of communications to go out days before an election, The Word on the 33rd the councilman’s weekly newsletter will suspended until mid-November. To continue receiving information about what is going on in our community, go to http://stephenlevin33.tumblr.com/. He invited everyone on Friday, June 14th to a fundraiser to help save Long Island College Hospital. All of the proceeds will go to fight for the legal challenge organized by The Concerned Physicians of LICH. He ended by inviting everyone on Sunday, June 23rd to the Imani House Walk-to-Live Walkathon. Join Imani House in the fight against childhood obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments that affect communities of color at a disproportionate rate compared to other ethnicities.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, stated that the councilman was happy that DOT has implemented various traffic calming measures on Hicks Street between Hamilton Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. DOT will be adding planters alongside roads to force drivers to slow down and will create curb extensions to effectively shorten pedestrian crossings. The lanes will also be altered to reduce vehicle flow into two lanes. The councilman is also in favor of the proposed traffic calming measures on 4th Avenue but in response to a number of concerns from residents on 5th Street about the proposed southbound left turn ban at 3rd Street, Council Member Lander requested that DOT meet with a group of these neighbors to address their concerns. He also urged DOT to install a traffic signal at 5th Street – the sole intersection along this stretch of 4th Avenue without one. The Councilman is also working on passing the NYPD Inspector General Act. With multiple controversies undermining the NYPD’s credibility in communities across the city, and undermining morale within the department, this is an important moment to address the long-standing need for independent oversight of the NYPD. An independent Inspector General will restore trust, improve police procedures, protect civil liberties, and improve public safety. The Councilman is co-sponsoring an informative evening to learn about the massive environmental impact that single-use plastic bags have in NYC, and the NYC campaign to do something about it. The event will take place at Greenwood Baptist Church, 461 6th St. in Park Slope on June 4
24th. She ended by inviting everyone to participate in Solarize Brooklyn, a group of neighbors working to bring cost-effective solar power to the neighborhoods on a large scale. There will be an education session and signing up on June 17th at the Park Slope library. For more information got to http://www.solarizebrooklyn.org/.
Laurie Wheelock, representing Assembly Member James Brennan, informed the Board that on June 21st the Assemblyman will be sponsoring No-Cost Digital Mammograms and Clinical Breast Exams.
Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, reported to the Board that the Assemblywoman is very happy that this year the legislators have addressed many important issues through new laws meant to improve life in New York State. Among these were a comprehensive gun control package, an increase in the minimum wage and a suspension of permits for hydrofracking. She is also very proud of the Assembly's passage of the 2013 Fair Elections Act (A.4980-C). This legislation aims to remove the influence of special interest money and restore confidence in our electoral process. She ended by inviting everyone to the Annual Senior Resource Fair on June 28th at St. Francis College.
Jim Vogel, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery stated that the senator’s office continues to work on New York State Bill S.1379/A.2305 which would stop police and prosecutors from using possession of condoms as evidence of prostitution. Currently, police and courts can use the fact that a person has or is carrying condoms to prove that they are engaging in criminal activity. Sex workers report that they are more likely to be arrested if they carry condoms. Police officers regularly confiscate condoms from people they allege are engaged in prostitution to use as evidence against them at trial. As a result people are hesitant to carry condoms to protect themselves and others; for fear that it will lead to arrest or be held against them in court. Sound public health policy would encourage condom use by eliminating the fear that carrying a condom will be used against you by police or in a court of law. On June 9th the State Senator join Assemblyman David I. Weprin for a Press Conference on the steps of New York City Hall to support the passing of Senate Bill S.2490 /Assembly Bill A.909, which would allow adult adoptees to request from the Department of Health a noncertified copy of an original birth certificate and a medical history form, if available. Under current NYS law, adoptees are unable to view their birth certificates and are thus unable to trace any family medical conditions or other background information that could greatly affect them and their children. He ended by stating that last year the Senator voiced her strong opposition to the granting of an unlimited liquor license for a proposed club called Kemistry Lounge. This application has been revived and she recently sent a letter to the State Liquor Authority (along with Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Councilman Stephen Levin) reiterating there opposition. She will be supporting her constituents concerns and will be speaking against this application at the upcoming SLA hearing.
Zeeshan Ott, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, stated that the Senator is continuing to push for the passage of GENDA (S.195/A.4226) legislation which would prohibit discrimination against transgender New Yorkers when it comes to housing, employment, credit, and public accommodations, while expanding New York's hate crimes law to include crimes against transgender individuals.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE
…………………....GARY REILLY, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR
………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly reported that the committee reviewed various sidewalk café renewals which will be voted on tonight in a bundle. The locations are as follows: 279 5th Avenue, 263 Smith Street, 225 7th Avenue, and 305 Court Street.
Motion: by Committee;
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Recommendation to approve a renewal revocable consent unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of:
Capodimonte, LLC dba Aperitivo at 279 5th Avenue (between 1st/2nd Streets) to permit 13 tables and 29 seats; Bidochons Corp. at 263 Smith Street (between Degraw/Douglass Streets) to permit 12 tables and 24 seats; Taurasi, Inc. dba Sotto Voce at 225 7th Avenue (between 3rd/4th Streets) to permit 8 tables and 18 seats; Note: This is a Petition of Modify Consent and re-apply. and, Giannino's Pizza Corp. at 305 Court Street (between Degraw/Sackett Streets) to permit 18 tables and 36 seats.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:35 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly further reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application at 446A Dean Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Broccolino Corp at 446A Dean Street (between Flatbush/5th Avenues) to permit 4 tables and 8 seats.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:37 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly additionally reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application at 239 5th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of PQ Park Slope dba Le Pain Quotidien at 239 5th Avenue (between President/Carroll Streets) to permit 14 tables and 28 seats.
Board Member Robert Levine asked if this applicant was going to be using the same space as the former restaurant Moutarde. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly stated yes.
Board Member Jeff Strabone asked if this applicant was part of a national chain. Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly stated that they are an international chain. Board Member Jeff Strabone then stated that we should not be recommending approval for national/international food chains to get sidewalk café licenses.
Board Member Suzanne Turet spoke in favor of the motion.
Board Member Hildegaard Link stated in support of Board Member Jeff Strabone statement, it is more difficult to restrain chain businesses that it is local businesses in regards to sidewalk cafes.
Board Member Elly Spicer stated that we should not be looking at that fact that this restaurant is part of a chain or not. We should treat it like all the other applications that come before us.
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VOTE: 28 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:45 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly moreover reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application at 161 7th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve an application for an alteration to an on-premises liquor license Recommendation anticipated on a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Berry LIW I PS, LLC dba Pinkberry at 161 7th Avenue (between 1st Street/Garfield Place) to permit 3 tables and 9 seats.
Board Member Jeff Strabone stated that this application is not a restaurant it is a yogurt place that has faster turnover and more of a mess.
Board Member Robert Levine stated that we should treat this application a little differently because it is not a normal sit down café with table service.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 2 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:49 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly likewise reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application at 369 7th Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Three Kings Of Kings County, LLC dba Talde at 369 7th Avenue (between 11th/12th Streets) to permit 13 tables and 26 seats.
Board Member Hildegaard Link stated that this applicant had misrepresented the measurements and the scales in the drawings. The tables and chairs were drawn to a scale of 1/16 of an inch is equal to 1 ft., however the street was drawn to a scale of 1/16 is equal to 1 ½ ft. The scale of the drawings is off and is visual misrepresented on the plans they gave us. Furthermore, if you look at the garbage bin that is uphill on the 11th Street side of the café, they have identified it as being a 12 ft. long garbage bin. She measured it and it is actually 6ft long. So this is either an intentional desire to misrepresent the sidewalk café or some pretty sloppy architecture. She would like to table this motion until the applicant resubmits accurate drawings to scale so we can actually access the extent of the congestion that this café will have on the very busy corner of 11th Street and 7th Avenue.
Motion To Table: by Board Member Hildegaard Link, seconded by Board Member
VOTE: 12 YEAS, 20 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION FAILED
TIME: 7:59 P.M.
Discussion on original motion continued.
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VOTE: 31 YEAS, 1 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:02 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly similarly reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application 288 3rd Avenue.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Littleneck Group LLC at 288 3rd Avenue (between Carroll/President Streets).
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:04 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly also reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license application at 254 Court Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Karloff at 254 Court Street (between Butler/Kane Streets) in our district.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:06 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly as well as reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 333 Douglass Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Threefold Holdings LLC at 333 Douglass Street (between 3rd/4th Avenues) in our district.
Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke out against the motion because of their use of the backyard space.
Board Member Lance Pinn spoke in favor of the motion stating that the applicant had researched and is working with the owners of the adjacent building which will look down on this backyard space and there were no problems or objections.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 3 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:10 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly in addition to reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 316 Court Street.
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Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Thirukumaran Rajamani at 316 Court Street (between Degraw/Sackett Streets) in our district.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:11 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly lastly reported that the committee reviewed a new on- premises liquor license application at 208 Court Street.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Jim and Andy Inc. at 208 Court Street (between Warren/Wyckoff Streets) in our district.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:12 P.M.
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………….…...….ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR
…………………...….PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR
Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming reported that the committee reviewed a proposal by the Department of City Planning for a Flood Resilience Zoning Text Amendment.
Motion: by Committee;
Recommendation to approve a proposal by the Department of City Planning for a Flood Resilience Zoning Text Amendment (N 130331 ZRY) to enable new and existing buildings throughout designated flood zones to meet the latest federal standards for flood-resistant construction.
Board Member Rick Luftglass asked if you live in a restricted height zone area you now can build higher because of this Text Amendment. Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming stated yes.
Board Member Jeff Strabone asked if the height in historic districts would be affected by this amendment. Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming stated no, not in our district.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:20 P.M.
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE……...........THOMAS L. MISKEL, CO-CHAIR
………….……….SAYAR LONIAL, CO-CHAIR
Transportation/Public Safety Committee Co-Chair Thomas Miskel reported to the Board that the committee reviewed the Department of Transportation's proposal to redesign 4th Avenue traffic corridor.
Motion: by Committee;
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Recommendation to approve a proposal by the Department of Transportation to redesign 4th Avenue traffic corridor (between Atlantic Avenue and 15th Streets) with the following condition that DOT come back to the committee with a full layout of bike corrals, loading zones, and metered parking, etc. Board Member Elizabeth Shipley asked if anyone brought up the fact that there were a lot of eastbound “no turns” from 4th Avenue. Transportation/Public Safety Committee Co-Chair Thomas Miskel stated yes.
Board Member Robert Levine stated that since there is a school on 5th Street DOT should install a traffic light there.
Board Member Jeff Strabone asked if the Chair could characterize the sentiments of the 5th Street residents. Transportation/Public Safety Committee Co-Chair Thomas Miskel stated that they were totally against the no left turn especially at 3rd street. It would bring more vehicles especially trucks on their block causing a dangerous situation for pedestrians specifically children.
Board Member Suzanne Turet stated that 5th Street is not a great block to divert traffic to. 3rd Street is much wider and can handle the traffic.
Board Member Gary Reilly stated that DOT had a number of meetings where a number of organizations and residents came out and gave there input. The one thing that came out was that 4th Avenue in its current condition was dangerous and needed to be improved. In deciding to take away turns they gave of hard data to support it through a traffic modeling program. After listening to the proposal the committee overwhelmingly
voted in favor of it with a few modifications.
Amendment: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming; Recommendation to ask DOT to defer the no turn element on 3rd Street until they have fully investigated and exhausted all other possibilities.
Board Member Dolly Williams asked if there should be a public hearing because this is a major change in the district. Chairperson Kummer stated that there have been 3 major public meetings about this proposal. It does not require a public hearing in the URLURP sense, but there were hundreds of residents, organizations and elected officials who weighed in on this proposal.
Board Member Elly Spicer asked if we could have DOT come to the full Board and present the proposal. Chairperson Kummer stated that we as a board have the agencies present at committees not at the full board.
Board Member Elizabeth Shipley spoke in favor of the amendment stating that 3rd Street is one of the few streets that goes all the way to the park and is wide. By installing no turns on 3 rd street it would decease safety on the smaller residential blocks.
Board Member Gary Reilly stated that we have a transportation committee for a reason with dedicated individuals who serve on it. We put a lot of energy into it and we encourage anyone to come to the meetings and participate in the discussion rather that “sharp shoot” every motion that comes out of the committee.
VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:38 P.M.
Discussion on original motion as amended continued.
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Board Member Suzanne Turet asked how commercial vehicles would go to the businesses on 9th Street if they cannot turn from 4th Avenue. District Manager Craig Hammerman stated that 3rd Avenue is a truck route and the commercial vehicles could turn onto 9th Street from there.
Board Member James Bernard stated that DOT has narrowed PPW which some believe is causing more accidents and now they want to eliminating turns on wider streets diverting traffic to the smaller residential blocks, this proposal is ridiculous on face value.
Board Member Matthew Ruiz spoke out against the motion stating it is pretty radical to take away the turning lanes. This will cause more emissions in the air because drivers will have to drive longer by circling to get to their destination.
Board Member Robert Levine spoke out against the motion.
VOTE: 10 YEAS, 18 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION FAILED
TIME: 8:44 P.M.
Motion: by Board Member James Bernard, seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming; Recommendation to disapprove a proposal by the Department of Transportation to redesign 4th Avenue traffic corridor (between Atlantic Avenue and 15th Streets).
Board Member Gary Reilly stated that before you commit to a motion as extreme as this one is you must think long and hard about what you know about the proposal before saying that it should not be put in. We must bear in mind the safety issues and the input of the hundreds of people from the neighborhood before we discard the proposal.
Board Member James Bernard stated that he thinks it is enough to vote no based on the no turning lanes on 3rd and 9th Streets. If we don’t say affirmly no, DOT will interpret this as us not having a position on this proposal.
Board Member Jeff Strabone asked if someone could explain all of the elements in the proposal. Chairperson Kummer gave a brief explanation of the elements.
Board Member Peter Fleming stated that he lives on 4th Avenue and Union Street and he does not drive his car that much. On many days traffic is always backed up to 9th Street and with these changes traffic especially if there is one less lane traffic will be backed up to 15th Street. These changes will not discourage outside drivers from using 4th Avenue it will only punish the ones who live in the area by making us drive in circles to find parking.
Board Member Ariel Krasnow asked if DOT is going to reduce the number of turns on 4th Avenue will traffic move continuously down 4th Avenue. Chairperson Kummer stated yes.
VOTE: 18 YEAS, 9 NAY, 5 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 9:00 P.M.
Chairperson Kummer laid the Youth/Human Services/Education Committee item over until next month’s board meeting due to a lack of time.
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COMMUNITY SESSION
Katya Jestin, representing “We are Gowanus” spoke out against the conversion of 280 Bond Street into the Rock and Roll Playhouse, which is slated to open in Gowanus later this year. She stated that her group wanted to make sure the board was aware of issues regarding the conversion. According to their website the Rock and Roll Playhouse will offer family friendly programming during the day, as well as programming for adults, such as educational talks, jazz and theatrical performances in the evenings. She then stated that the development is totally incongruous with the existing R6B zoning. Furthermore, she pointed out that the developer insistence that the Rock and Roll Playhouse will be a theatre around children's programing is inconsistent with what he told her group. She further stated that in a meeting in early May the developer spoke of the evening programing in terms of a late night music venue featuring jazz and possibly other music seven days a week for those 21 and older. It would also feature a full bar with a last call around 1:30 AM, 2 AM on week-ends. She ended by asking the board to please keep in mind all the facts, to examine this closely, and to consider what she has told them when he comes before the board.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
No new business.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Suzanne Turet; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 9:05 P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on June 28, 2013.
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