October 9, 2013

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

P.S. 32 SAMUEL MILLS SPROLE SCHOOL

317 HOYT STREET

OCTOBER 9, 2013

ATTENDANCE

PRESENT:

E. ANDERSON R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM

N. BERK-RAUCH D. BRAVO F. BROWN

C. CALABRESE E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE

N. COX E. FELDER P. FLEMING

Y. GIRELA D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM

V. HERAMIA H. HUGHES G. KELLY

M. KOLMAN A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER

R. LEVINE H. LINK S. LONIAL

R. LUFTGLASS D. MAZZUCA A. MCKNIGHT

P. MINDLIN T. MISKEL C. PIGOTT

L. PINN M. RACIOPPO G. REILLY

R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ M. SCOTT

D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES E. SHIPLEY

M. SILVERMAN B. SOLOTAIRE L. SONES

E. SPICER J. STRABONE J. THOMPSON

S. TURET D. WILLIAMS

EXCUSED:

J. BERNARD J. HEYER

ABSENT:

G. O’CONNELL, JR.

GUESTS:

L. JACOBSON, 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

O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE

P. WEISS, STATE SENATOR PARKER’S REPRESENTATIVE

Z. OTT, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE

P. RHÉAUME, CONGRESS MEMBER CLARKE’S REPRESENTATIVE

Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office. 1

Chairperson Daniel Kummer called the meeting to order at 6:41pm.

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

Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by requesting a moment of silence for Samuel Cohen-Eckstein, a 12 year-old boy who was killed while chasing a ball into the street at the intersection of Third Street and Prospect Park West in Park Slope.

Chairperson Kummer congratulated City Council Member Letitia James on her Primary Run-off election victory for the Democratic line in the Public Advocate’s race. Of course, that means we’ll also continue to be served by State Senator Daniel Squadron’s representation of our district in Albany. This Friday, October 11th, is the last day to register to vote in the General election which will be on November 5th. We have Voter Registration forms here tonight. Please take them to anyone you think could use them. There will also be 6 referendums on the ballot this year so you probably will want to take a few minutes to look them over before heading to the polls. The district office will send out a link to them on the Board of Election’s website.

Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that the Environmental Protection Agency released their Record of Decision (ROD) on September 30th, which effectively spells out the remedial strategy they will be pursuing with regards to the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal Superfund site. In the 105-page decision, with over 3,000 pages of supporting documentation, the EPA outlines the general dredge and cap process they intend to use along the canal. They also said they intend to include aggressive measures to mitigate the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) issues, specifically by forcing the City to build tanks at two locations near the highest volume outfalls to retain CSO solids. Lastly, the EPA will not be using Red Hook for a Confined Disposal Facility, one of the other controversial elements of their proposed remedy. Now that the ROD has been issued, they will be spending the next 2 years designing the actual remedies. This is where we’ll actually get into the planning for elements like how the dredged materials will be transported and where they will set up staging and processing areas. The dirty work is still ahead of us. We have encouraged the EPA to work with our district office as a good way for them to obtain insight and help keep the community informed. He thanked Board Member Mark Shames our Environmental Protection Committee Chair and our District Manager Craig Hammerman who were there to represent us, and also acknowledged Board Members Glenn Kelly, Gary Reilly and Ariel Krasnow were also in attendance.

Chairperson Kummer encouraged all of our members to consider attending the upcoming meeting of our Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing Committee where we will be hearing from the consultant who has been working on our Gowanus Brownfield Opportunity Area program grant. At this meeting you’ll have a chance to learn about what we’ve discovered about the Gowanus, why it has become such a hotspot for artisans, craftspeople and artists, new media and new manufacturers, what the challenges are that the area is currently facing, and where there are some strategic sites that could make a difference in the area. The committee is meeting at 6:30pm on Monday, October 21st at PS 58, on Carroll Street at Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.

Chairperson Kummer advised the Board that in July we co-sponsored an Informational Meeting with the Park Slope Civic Council regarding New York Methodist Hospital’s new, state-of-the-art facility on an assemblage of properties they own which front on 5th Street, 8th Avenue and 6th Street. At the meeting Methodist representatives were able to share their concepts with us and gather some early feedback from the community. The hospital returned to our Landmarks/Land Use Committee at their September 26th meeting to present us with the most current version of their project plans which incorporated community feedback. They have redistributed bulk from the building away from the nearby residential uses and eliminated the proposed traffic pass-through from 6th to 5th Streets. We are anticipating receiving their Board of Standards and Appeals application any day now, so we can finalize the planning for a Public Hearing.

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Chairperson Kummer reported to the Board that they would hear later from our Budget Chair Rick Luftglass when he presents our Fiscal Year 2015 Capital and Expense budget priorities and in anticipation of that I would like to acknowledge him, along with Board Members Ariel Krasnow and Bob Levine from our Executive Committee who, along with District Manager Craig Hammerman and Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch, attended our annual budget consultations with the City agencies on September 17th. This 5-hour budget marathon session is a real commitment. We are indeed fortunate to have members who are willing and able to represent us and I wanted to single out their efforts and thank them.

Chairperson Kummer ended his report by informing the Board that this year, the Brooklyn CB6 holiday party is going to be on Tuesday, December 17th. The district office is still looking for people to volunteer to help as this is a fundraiser for our non-profit affiliate, Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. If you’ve got some time to spare please call Director of Special Projects Sarah Phillips at the district office and let her know you can help.

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

District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the Board that James Proscia, BK6 Superintendent has retired and is being replaced by Superintendent Nando Sala. He further reported that the Department of Sanitation will be instituting their annual shift to night collection hours in mid-November, continuing through mid-April, to ensure that personnel are available around the clock in the event of emergency snow removal. Each year one of the five Sanitation sectors within the district is shifted to nighttime collection. This year Sector 62 which encompasses Cobble Hill, North Carroll Gardens, and the Columbia Street areas of our district will receive night collections. Also, the Commanding officer of the 76th Police Precinct Deputy Inspector Jeff Schiff was transferred to a Queens command and our new commander is Captain Justin Lenz who will be introducing himself and talking about his strategies, priorities and initiatives for the precinct at our October 17th Transportation/Public Safety committee meeting.

District Manager Hammerman informed the board that the district office has been recently awarded a $29,250 grant from the State Archives department. This grant will enable us to take all of our Land Use records, digitize them and put them on microfiche. In a future grant we envision applying for next year we hope to take those records and create an online content management system making it publicly accessible on the Internet.

District Manager Hammerman ended his report by introducing the new Planning Fellow in the district office Mia Brezin. She will be working with us this year on a special project with a cutting-edge firm called Open Plans (the organization that created the DOT crowdsourcing tool that was used to acquire the bike share program docking station location suggestions). They are working with us to develop a Capital budget mapping tool that will allow us to gather information from the public at-large who will be able to make suggestions to us in regards to our budget requests.

 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 

Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the September’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli.

Board Member Sayar Lonial stated that he was in attendance at the meeting and the minutes should be corrected. Chairperson Kummer stated that they would be changed.

VOTE: 42 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

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MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 6:57 P.M.

Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials representatives

Lauren Jacobson, representing Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz invited all the members to a wide variety of special events in October being hosted by the Borough President.

Metin Sarci, representing Council Member Stephen Levin, reported that the Councilmember has introduced a bill that would require the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting to make “monthly reports detailing the locations of all film shoot permits in New York City, broken down by Borough, Community Board, Council District, and Street” and annual reports that would compile the information in the monthlies, as well as giving statistics on employment and other direct and indirect benefits and costs to the City from filming. These reports would be posted on line and available to the public. He also has introduced legislation that would require the City to have a cultural plan. The bill calls on the City to analyze their current cultural priorities, determine how different communities are being served and how they propose to improve these services, study the condition of artists in this city today, and plan how NYC can remain an artist friendly city in a time of skyrocketing rents and other economic pressures. The plan calls for the City to go out to communities throughout the five boroughs and find out what they want and need in a cultural plan and to incorporate these recommendations in the plan. The Councilman has also introduced a resolution that calls on the State legislature to define honey and provide standards for honey in the State. Currently, imported honey is shipped to the United States with labels calling it “pure honey” but in fact much of it is not pure, with items such as high fructose corn syrup, rice syrup and antibiotics added to it. Councilman Levin will continue his Neighborhood Assemblies as part of his Participatory Budgeting process. The assemblies will provide residents the opportunity to bring up their ideas and concerns and ultimately set the foundations for the projects that will be developed and eventually voted on by the community. There will be a meeting on October 26th at Wyckoff Community Center at 4pm. There will be a special Spanish language assembly on October 26th at the 5th Avenue committee office at 3pm. You can also submit your ideas online at http://d33.pbnyc.org/page/about or send an email to district33pb@gmail.com, calling us at 718-875-5200, or by mailing your proposal to Council member Stephen Levin’s District Office at: 410 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217. For those of you who want to take an extra step and play a leadership role in making PB a success, I encourage you to sign-up as a volunteer at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vhe3hSI0pQZ12NtEycxjh-6HxFtAO2TaVbWriBjAtA/viewform. Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, reported that the Councilman would also be hosting a series of Neighborhood Assemblies to kick off the third year of Participatory Budgeting. He asks that you join him at one of the meetings to give your ideas:

 Thursday, October 10th, 6:30 PM at Old First Reformed Church, 729 Carroll St. (at 7th Ave.)  Tuesday, October 15th, 6:30 PM at Carroll Gardens Branch Library, 396 Clinton St. (at Union St.)

Special assemblies:  Transportation Assembly (on livable streets and transit issues): Monday, October 21st, 6:30-8 PM at Park Slope Library, 431 6th Ave. (at 9th St)  Spanish Assembly: Saturday, October 26th, 3 PM, at Fifth Avenue Committee, 621 Degraw St. (at Fourth Avenue)

You can also submit your ideas online at http://bradlander.com/YourIdeas or send an email to lander@council.nyc.gov, calling us at 718-499-1090, or by mailing your proposal to Councilmember Lander’s District Office at: 456 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11215. The deadline is November 3rd. The Councilman is very pleased that Methodist Hospital invited feedback from the public on its proposed

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expansion, meaningfully incorporated that feedback into their plans, and will continue the conversation as they move forward. He understands that not everyone will be satisfied by the revisions that have been made to the plan, but is committed to working with neighbors and with Methodist on a plan that responds to their concerns and mitigates construction-related and traffic-related impacts going forward. The Councilman will be convening a traffic task force to discuss traffic-related impacts on the community with Methodist Hospital, Department of City Planning, Community Board 6 and other local groups. If you have any ideas or would like to participate please call 718-499-1090. Laurie Wheelock, representing Assembly Member James Brennan, invited everyone to various programs hosted by Assemblyman Jim Brennan:

 GREEN-OVATION – a panel discussion on conservation and solar energy – October 22nd - 5:30-8:30 pm at Camp Friendship located at 339 8th street.  Free Flu Shots – October 30th – 11am  TAKING NON-PROFITS TO A NEW LEVEL – a panel discussion focused on strategies to strengthen Community-based organizations, fund-raising capacity building, and compliance with state laws regulating charities- November 12th – 6:00-8:00 pm at Temple Beth Emeth located at 83 Marlborough Road.

She ended by stating that there is new legislation that requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. This is part of a new initiative to protect New Yorkers against inappropriate or fraudulent STAR exemptions. For more information please call 718-788-7221.

Tamar Smith, representing Assembly Member Joan Millman, reported that the Assemblywoman was so pleased with the reopening of the AMICO Eileen C. Dugan Senior Center at 380 Court Street in Carroll Gardens on September 26th. On September 30 the Assemblywoman provided testimony at a New York City Council hearing on capital needs for libraries and the potential disposal of library branches. Recently the Brooklyn Public Library decided to reconsider the sale of the Pacific Street branch located on 4th Avenue but the library's future is still unclear. She believes that all elected officials should work together and talk to the community at large to address the real needs of public libraries in all 5 boroughs. On September 30th the US Environmental Protection Agency announced a final plan to clean the Gowanus Canal Super Fund site. The final plan includes removing contaminated sediment from the bottom of the canal by dredging. As well as include controls to prevent combined sewer overflows and other land based sources of contamination from compromising the cleanup. In response to community input, the EPA also decided to dispose of the least contaminated sediment at a facility out of the area rather than a facility in Red Hook. The cost of the cleanup plan is estimated to be $506 million. For more information go to www.epa/goo/regiono2lsuperfund/npl/gowanus.

Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery stated the that senator has introduced legislation that responds to concerns raised by parents of New York City student, teachers, and other education advocates to reform the City's education system. Together, my legislation allows for greater parental input in school governance, as well as transparency and accountability.

 School Governance Reform - Senate Bill 1406/Assembly Bill 792 seeks to restore a Democratic system of checks and balances by changing the composition of the Board of Education, ending mayoral control of the public school system, and giving parents greater involvement in education policy creation and decision making.

 Bringing Regents' Meetings to NYC - Senate Bill 1411/Assembly Bill 5313 would require the New York State Board of Regents to hold at least two meetings a year in NYC. Currently, all regular Regents meetings are held in Albany.

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For more information go to http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/velmanette-montgomery.

Zeeshan Ott, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, stated that the Senator is urging the city to cease its plan to evict roughly 350 Sandy victims who were displaced by the storm and have been living in hotels. The plan would move these victims into homeless shelters, despite the fact that they're entitled to federal rental vouchers. We should be focusing our efforts on connecting them to long-term stable housing not displacement. Patrick Rhéaume, representing Congress Member Yvette Clarke, invited everyone to join the Congresswomen on October 17th at a forum on Affordable Health Care for families and small businesses. At the forum individuals will be able to sign up for affordable health insurance and find out if they qualify for subsidies; and businesses will be able to find affordable insurance plans for their small businesses. For more information please call (718) 287-1142.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS 

EXECUTIVE/BUDGET COMMITTEE………………………......RICK LUFTGLASS, BUDGET CHAIR

Budget Chairperson Rick Luftglass reported to the Board that the committee discussed the proposed CB6 FY 2015 Capital and Expense Budget Requests.

Motion: by Committee;

To approve the FY 2015 Capital budget requests.

Amendment: by Board Member Jeff Strabone, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones; To switch priority #7 – Comprehensive repairs to Court Street with priority #8 – Reconstruction of 3rd Street bridge. Board Member Philip Mindlin asked what the rationale was for the original order of the priorities. District Manager Hammerman stated that it seemed more likely that we would get the agency to fund a Court Street item that was defunded because at one point they thought it was worthy of spending $10 million on the project and the bridge was $50 million. We thought Court Street would be the better of the two to get funded first.

Board Member Jeff Strabone withdrew his motion after hearing the rationale behind the order.

Amendment: by Board Member Vilma Heramia, seconded by Board Member Robert Levine; To move priority #23 – Retrofit Smith-9th Street subway station for Handicapped Access; priority #24 - Retrofit Grand Army Plaza subway station for Handicapped Access; priority #29 – Redesign of 7th Avenue subway station to include Mezzanine Arcade and Handicapped Access above priority #11 – Enhancement to BQE Trench.

VOTE: 43 YEAS, 2 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

AMENDMENT PASSED

TIME: 7:38 P.M.

Discussion continued on the original motion as amended.

VOTE: 45 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

AMENDED MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:41 P.M.

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Motion: by Committee;

To approve the FY 2015 Expense budget requests.

Board Member Jeff Strabone asked for more information on priority #22 – Establishment of a district-wide Tourism Center. Chairperson Kummer stated that it is meant to establishment a tourism center at the cruise terminal in Red Hook for our district.

Amendment: by Board Member Judith Thompson, seconded by Board Member Elsie Felder; To move priority #14 – Expansion of Ferry Service to permanently serve Bklyn., Gov. Island, and Manhattan above priority #8 – Restoration of frequent Sanitation litter Basket Programs.

Board Member Glenn Kelly stated that if the intention is to provide transportations options to Red Hook this would not do it because this priority is only for Atlantic Avenue. District Manager Hammerman stated that we did include Red Hook in this priority.

Board Member Sayar Lonial has a concern that this motion moves out top Parks item out of the top 10.

VOTE: 10 YEAS, 28 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS

AMENDMENT FAILED

TIME: 7:48 P.M.

Discussion continued on the original motion.

VOTE: 40 YEAS, 1 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:50 P.M.

Chairperson Kummer recognized State Senator Kevin Parker

State Senator Parker stated that budget meetings will begin in about a month and if anyone would like him to include certain things in the upcoming budget they should call his office at 718-629-6401. He will be working on this year the decriminalization of marijuana, which he believes is the precursor to getting medical marijuana in the state. This year he is working really hard at getting the women equality package passed especially the equal pay for women bill. He is still trying to get a moratorium on hydrocracking. One of the most important questions we must ask is what the dangerous chemicals that will be are placed so close to the water table that supplies water to us and whether or not they will be able to deal with them effectively. In Albany there is a world renowned Nano Tech Lab. He is introducing a bill that would bring one of these labs to Brooklyn to study alternative energy. He will be hosting free flu shots on October 23rd and November 1st. For more information and to RSVP please call 718-629-6401.

ELECTION COMMITTEE…………...……………………..………………......PETER FLEMING, CHAIR

Election Chairperson Peter Fleming announced to the Board that there were no nominees for officers sent in to the board office, so the current officers will again be up for reelection. Next month we will have floor nominations for anyone wanting to be nominated and an election will be held in December, if needed.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE

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…………………....GARY REILLY, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR

………………...……MARK SHAMES, ENV. PROTECTION CHAIR

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 276 Smith Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Mad Dogs & Beans Mexican Cantina at 276 Smith Street (between Sackett/Degraw Streets) in our district.

VOTE: 42 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANISMOSLY

TIME: 8:01 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly also reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license application at 215 Columbia Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of La Bottega Red Hook LLC at 215 Columbia Street (between Sackett/Union Streets) in our district.

VOTE: 42 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANISMOSLY

TIME: 8:02 P.M.

Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Gary Reilly further reported that the committee reviewed a new sidewalk cafe license application at 282 Smith Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new sidewalk cafe license application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Stinky Vine, LLC dba The Jake Walk at 282 Smith Street (between Union/Sackett Streets) to permit 8 tables and 16 seats.

VOTE: 42 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:03 P.M.

LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE………….…...….ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS CHAIR

…………………...….PETER FLEMING, LAND USE CHAIR

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a revised Certificate of Appropriateness application for the rooftop addition of a partial story and the replacement of an existing rear yard extension with a two-story extension with deck at 115 Lincoln Place.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve an application (BSA Calendar No. 169-13-BZ) submitted approve a revised Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the rooftop addition of a partial story and the replacement of an existing rear yard extension with a two-story extension with deck at 115 Lincoln Place (between 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District with the following conditions:

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 2nd floor extension be pulled back by 3 feet.  More aligned fenestration.  Contextual materials  Push back the railing at deck by 3 feet.  Remove side walls.  No railing or side walls at extension roof.

Board Member Matthew Ruiz asked if applicant agreed with conditions. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that they did not agree or disagree.

Board Member Mark Shames felt the committee made a compromise with this applicant without any basis for one. The community members from the neighborhood were against any extension, especially since there are no other extensions in the donut.

Board Member Jeff Strabone spoke out against the motion stating that he is against the “Backyard Arms Race” that is taking place in our district. Since there are no other extensions in this donut and the neighbors came out against this extension the board has no choice but to vote no.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley spoke out against the motion stating that the neighbors made a compelling argument that this extension is out of character with the rest of the block.

Board Member Peter Fleming spoke in favor of the motion stating that he is cautious about telling someone that if you are unlucky to live on this block because there are no extensions you cannot have one either.

Board Member Judith Thompson asked how lager is the backyard. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated more than 100 ft.

Board Member Philip Mindlin asked if someone can explain whether the objections are aesthetics in nature or are they about interfering with the quality of life of the neighbors. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that as a committee we only take in consideration the aesthetics not the quality of life.

Board Member Sayar Lonial stated that once again the committee is asking the board to vote on something that is aesthetically not within the grounds of what LPC looks at. We are approving something that is not what we are here to be protecting and we are making quality of life and building decisions to protect the LPC standards of the historic district and to protect what that aesthetic is supposed to be like. For this board which consistently wants to increase the historic district and we are going to have another one coming up later this month. He will ask the board once again if we are going to increase the historic district can we please hold owners of these properties accountable to what they have to do under LPC’s historic district standards rather that granting changes and approving backyard permits. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that we are following LPC’s guidelines because they are sending these applications to us asking for our opinion.

VOTE: 17 YEAS, 16 NAYS, 7 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION FAILED

TIME: 8:25 P.M.

Motion: by Board Member Jeff Strabone, seconded by Board Member Sayar Lonial; Recommendation to disapprove an application (BSA Calendar No. 169-13-BZ) submitted approve a revised Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the rooftop addition of a partial story and the replacement of an

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existing rear yard extension with a two-story extension with deck at 115 Lincoln Place (between 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley spoke in favor of the motion stating that the architect consistently failed to bring much of the information that is required and sometimes misrepresented the situation. When the original applied for a roof extension he said it could not be seen from the street but in fact you can see it from the street on the side. He also failed to bring drawing that would help us understand the project better and make an informed decision. He showed zero effort in making the more aesthetic elements of the rear facade more attractive or more in character with the rest of the buildings in the donut. He seemed to be designing the extension based on the floor plan and how much area he could get.

Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch spoke out against this motion stating that we are being disingenuous with this application considering all of the other applications we have approved.

Board Member Philip Mindlin stated that the pristine character of the block is relevant to the consideration of whether the change should be allowed. That distinguishes this application from the ones we have approved in the past.

Board Member Norman Cox spoke out against the motion stating that it is our responsibility to protect the public realm in a historic district and backyards are not public.

Board Member Jeff Strabone spoke in favor of the motion stating that people by these homes knowing that there are restrictions and those restrictions enhance the value of their homes. We must and should protect the neighbors who came out to speak against this extension not the person who wants a “death star” in the backyard.

Board Member Mark Shames stated that we are not being disingenuous and we must give an opinion to LPC. If we don’t then they will put up the first large scale extension we saw and no one want that. I believe we should put a rider with all Historic district properties stating that you must get approval from LPC before you can use the rest of the FAR on your property.

Board Member Dominique Bravo stated that she lives on a block just like this one and is affected by what her neighbors do in regards to the backyards. Since a number of neighbors did come out against this project we should take that into consideration.

Board Member Peter Fleming stated that this committee used to be concerned with these types of projects only if they were visible from the street. We were less concerned if it was not. Over time it has evolved into something that is more subjective and to tell this applicant that they cannot build because they were unlucky enough to buy a house on a block that there are no extensions in the back yard is wrong.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine agrees and stated that there are plenty of extensions on the other side of the donut.

Board Member Suzanne Turet stated that it is confusing because we have been discussing that the donut is pristine and does not have extensions. Now she hears there are extensions on the other side of the donut.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley stated that they are not extensions they are the original carriage house that were there when the homes were built.

Board Member Matthew Silverman spoke in favor of the motion stating that he does not have a problem with allowing extensions he just does not like what this applicant is proposing. 10

Board Member Glenn Kelly stated that in trying to get it all we are going to get nothing. We are going to lose the conditions we wanted to place on the approval. The fact of the matter is zoning allows this extension and LPC sent it to us for an aesthetic opinion. This is probably going to get passed by LPC and none of our conditions will be a part of it.

Friendly Amendment: by Board Member Richard Bashner; If LPC approves this project that our conditions be included in the approval.

Board Member Jeff Strabone accepted the amendment.

VOTE: 26 YEAS, 5 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 8:53 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine also reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the addition of a 3-story rear yard addition and addition of HVAC equipment to roof at 247 Kane Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the addition of a 3-story rear yard addition and addition of HVAC equipment to roof at 247 Kane Street (between Court/Clinton Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the condition that the reduce fenestration to be more in keeping with adjacent buildings and the original fenestration pattern. Board Member Sayar Lonial asked if you can see the addition from the street and is it in context with the rest of the properties on the block. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated yes to both of the questions. Board Member Jeff Strabone stated that he would be abstaining because this applicant did not comply with the committees request to provide them with drawings.

VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 9:02 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine further reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the addition of a two-story rear yard addition with balcony at 408 Henry Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of a handrail addition at the front stoop at 116 Prospect Park West (between 6th/7th Streets), Park Slope Historic District with the condition that the railing at the front entrance have more appropriate historical detailing. Board Member Sayar Lonial stated that we should be approving or disapproving based on the aesthetics from the presentation, not sending it to LPC and have them do it on a staff level when we do not have all the information at the meeting. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that this application was already calendared and we have confidence in LPC to handle it at the staff level. Board Member Judith Thompson spoke in favor of the motion stating that she is uncomfortable not approving a hand rail for an elderly person who made need it.

VOTE: 33 YEAS, 1 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 9:05 P.M.

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TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE……...........THOMAS L. MISKEL, CO-CHAIR

………….……….SAYAR LONIAL, CO-CHAIR

Transportation/Public Safety Chair Thomas Miskel reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposal to co-name 5th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues as "Barry Weinbrom Way."

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a proposal to co-name 5th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues as "Barry Weinbrom Way."

VOTE: 33 YEAS, 1 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 9:09 P.M.

 COMMUNITY SESSION 

No one registered

 NEW/OTHER BUSINESS 

Board Member Vilma Heramia invited everyone to a workshop to create priorities for a Commercial Corridor Action Plan for the Columbia Waterfront District on November 6th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm located at the Red Hook Star review Office – 101 Union Street. For more information and RSVP please email info@carrollgardensassociation.com.

Board Member Judith Thompson stated that we should be looking out for an RFP to develop a Marina at pier 5. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, d/b/a Brooklyn Bridge Park, is seeking proposals from qualified developers and operators for the long-term lease, development, and operation of a first-class marina on a site adjacent to Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. For more information go to http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/about-us/brooklyn-bridge-park/business-opportunities/pier-5-marina-rfp.

Board Member Jeff Strabone stated that he is involved with and new theater company called the New Brooklyn Theater which aims to create a permanent home for an artistic renaissance in Brooklyn. We believe that the creation and performance of art enrich all who come into contact with it and strengthen the bonds of civil society. For more information please go to http://newbrooklyntheater.com/. Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Lou Sones; To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 9:23 P.M.

Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on October 31, 2013.

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