December 11, 2013

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL

209 JORALEMON STREET

DECEMBER 11, 2013

ATTENDANCE

PRESENT:

E. ANDERSON P. BELLENBAUM N. BERK-RAUCH

J. BERNARD D. BRAVO F. BROWN

E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE N. COX

E. FELDER P. FLEMING Y. GIRELA

D. GIULIANO R. GRAHAM V. HERAMIA

J. HEYER H. HUGHES G. KELLY

A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER R. LEVINE

H. LINK S. LONIAL D. MAZZUCA

A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL C. PIGOTT

L. PINN G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI

M. RUIZ E. SHIPLEY B. SOLOTAIRE

E. SPICER S. TURET D. WILLIAMS

EXCUSED:

R. BASHNER M. KOLMAN R. LUFTGLASS

P. MINDLIN M. SCOTT M. SHAMES

M. SILVERMAN L. SONES J. STRABONE

ABSENT:

C. CALABRESE M. RACIOPPO D. SCOTTO

J. THOMPSON

GUESTS:

HON. JOHN C. LIU, NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER

L. JACOBSON, BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ’ REPRESENTATIVE

M. OJALA, 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

J. LEVINE, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE

P. RHÉAUME, CONGRESS MEMBER CLARKE’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 6:45pm.

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

Chairperson Daniel Kummer began his report by congratulating our Public Safety Committee Chair Matthew Silverman and his wife, Rachel, who gave birth to a son – Adam Jay Silverman – on November 24th.

Chairperson Kummer informed the Board that on Tuesday, December 3rd District Manager Hammerman and I attended a neighborhood forum on Street Safety in Park Slope, the kick-off meeting of a new group called Park Slope Street Safety Partnership which includes the neighborhood’s elected officials, DOT, 78th Precinct, the Community Board, Park Slope Civic Council and Park Slope Neighbors. The group’s purpose is to capture information about unsafe street conditions in the neighborhood and to lobby for increased safety measures called for by Mayor-elect de Blasio in his “Vision Zero” campaign which envisions reducing if not eliminating fatalities and injuries caused by crashes. I’d like to commend the group, particularly Council Member Brad Lander who played an important organizing role, for raising awareness and engaging the community. The Park Slope United Methodist Church was a packed house demonstrating that this issue is foremost on people’s minds.

Chairperson Kummer advised the board that Council Member Lander held his first public meeting called “Bridging Gowanus” which invited all of the people and groups having an interest in the Gowanus Canal corridor into a room for an open and honest discussion about the future of the neighborhood. The process has been facilitated by Pratt, which has a long history of involvement in the area, and is intended to produce a current position paper to present to the new Administration so they will have a good roadmap for the issues and concerns related to the Gowanus. Rather than run from controversy, this group is confronting some very tough questions, not with the expectation that they will all be resolved, but so they could be framed out and presented to the new Administration.

Chairperson Kummer reminded everyone that the holiday party is going to be from 6-9pm on Tuesday, December 17th at The Red Rose Restaurant, 315 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. We’ve already lined up some generous sponsorship from IKEA, Astoria Federal Savings Bank, and the Law Office of Sclar Adler LLP, but we are still looking for prize donations for the raffle. Small, easy-to-carry items like gift certificates, tend to work well. I’m encouraging all of our members to either solicit or donate a prize so we’ll have lots of prizes to give away. Also, I’m told that our guests who prepay will greatly speed up the entry process at the door so if you have a check with you tonight, feel free to give it to Craig or Leroy so we can add you to the list. As a reminder, we’re asking everyone to pay what they can, typically somewhere in the $40-100 range, but more is even better. Checks made out to Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc. are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Chairperson Kummer reported to the Board that we have received a resignation from Board Member Greg O’Connell Jr. He wished him well and thanked him for his selfless service to the Community Board.

Chairperson Kummer ended his report by updating the board on the status of the variance application of New York Methodist Hospital which is before them. The hospital has made an application to the BSA to build an ambulatory care facility on 5th Street-8th Avenue-6th Street. There are actually 3 sets of zoning rules that are involved in this application. When the rezoning of Park Slope was done in 2003 the hospital’s campus was largely carved out causing it to retain mostly its R6 zoning status. The hospital is proposing to build a U-shaped building in which the bottom half is within the R6 zoning and the upper two arms of the building are in R6B and R7B zoning areas. At the November 21st Transportation/Public Safety and Landmarks/Land Use Public Hearing, hospital representatives made a presentation in which they stated that it was exploring possible changes to the design in the R6B and R7B sections on the building. Unfortunately, they did not provide details on the proposed changes that night. As a result the committees did not have complete clarity on what they were 2

asked to vote on that night. There were many residents at the meeting speaking for and against the proposal, most were against, with concerns about the bulk and general appropriateness of the proposed building in the Park Slope neighborhood. They also were concerned about traffic and environmental impact. Those speaking in favor of the application included a number of our elected officials and their representatives, as well as several local clergy members all of whom stressed the hospital’s need to expand in order to survive. After the hearing the committee asked the hospital representatives if they were willing to withdraw or delay its application to allow for provision of more information to the community board and further discussion of the design changes that the hospital had alluded to in its presentation. The hospital was unwilling that evening to withdraw or delay its application. The Landmarks/Land Use Committee did pass the following motion as a recommendation to the board which is before us tonight. The motion is that Brooklyn CB6 disapproves the New York Methodist Hospital's Center for Community Health application since the proposed building would alter the essential character of the neighborhood and is not the minimum relief that could be requested. Further, that New York Methodist work with the Park Slope residents, the area's elected officials and the Community Board to amend the variance request in such a way that would reduce the bulk in the R6B and R7B portions much closer to compliance with the zoning limitations, if not fully into compliance. Following the hearing there were communications between the hospital, Community Board 6 and Councilman Lander in which the hospital agreed to do the following: 1. The hospital would return to the committee in early January to make a further presentation on the following three subjects:  A detailed explanation of the need for a building of the configuration that makes necessary the proposed variances. This would include a description of the functions in the building, their current locations and the projected growth in the near future. The hospital would present the relevant standards and guidelines with respect to size and adjacency for the new facility. The community board requested that they provide us with the information that led them to conclude not to build over the parking lot behind the Rite Aid.  The traffic impact of the development as compared to the present traffic conditions with traffic counts and statistics.  Detailed changes to the building in the R6B and R7B sections.

2. The hospital would write a letter to BSA concerning the fact that extending the community board process would result in our not getting our recommendation to BSA within the normal 60-day allotted period. The BSA does have discretion under its rules explicitly to include late filed recommendations from community boards in its hearing record on an application. The hospitals letter would specifically ask BSA to exercise that discretion in this case to allow our recommendation to be included in the record even if we get it in after the 60 days.

Since the hospital agreed to the above in writing, Chairperson Kummer asked for a motion to recommit.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli; To recommit matter to Committee.

VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:04 P.M.

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

District Manager Craig Hammerman began his report by informing the board that the Department of Transportation has sent us a list of approved CityBench sites in our district. The purpose of the three-year,

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federally funded CityBench program is to install benches throughout New York City to support transit use and walking, particularly for elderly and mobility-impaired New Yorkers. If anyone has any concerns with these locations, please let him know before January 17th. Following are the locations: 610 Baltic Street, 211 8th Street, 426 4th Avenue and 504 4th Avenue.

District Manager Hammerman advised the board that the community board has been advised of a demolition project at 388 Carroll Street in the Gowanus section of our district.

District Manager Hammerman ended his report by reporting to the board that the district office has been contacted by the representatives of The Lightstone Group who is constructing a large-scale project at 363-365 Bond Street. They would like to meet with us on a monthly basis to go over coordination of construction activities at the site since they would be planning this over a 24-month construction cycle. Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch and I met with them last week and we will be meeting with them again in January. What you should expect to see happening at the site between now and the end of the year is a lot of site preparation work which includes, but is not limited to, the removal of asbestos containing materials and demolition of current structures on the site. They will be putting a gate up at the Bond and 1st Streets intersection where that will become the primary access point for the construction site since the project is bifurcated by 1st Street. That should not impact any other active businesses in the area. The 2nd Street work will allow ultimately for the construction of the Sponge Park, which is a separate project that the City is funding at the foot of 2nd Street at the canal. It will also involve the design and installation of a formal launch for small watercraft that will be primarily used by the Gowanus Dredgers and friends. The Carroll Street end of the property is not expected to have any kind of major impacts during construction, which is good since that is one of the few east/west crossings of the canal. In January we have invited DOT and the NYPD to sit down with us and The Lightstone Group to discuss truck route movement and traffic regulation changes that will be a part of this construction package. As we continue to learn information we will let you know and put it in our newsletter as appropriate. We have also encouraged The Lightstone Group to develop their own newsletter format so that they too can start posting this information and letting the community know what’s going on. They will also in the near future be establishing a hotline which will be monitored daily and will take messages after hours so that people that have concerns will have a direct way of getting access to the people at the site.

Chairperson Kummer recognized elected officials and their representatives

New York City Comptroller John Liu began by stating that his office has saved about $5 billion through contract reviews, audits and refinancing of the City’s debt. Also, he has created thousands of jobs through accelerating our capital construction plans and taking advantage of low interest rates. The City’s investment portfolio is up over the past 4 fiscal years another 58% we have a seed of $150 billion in assets under management. He ended by thanking all the board members for their volunteer efforts in representing the residents of the district.

Assembly Member Joan Millman began by thanking everyone who came to “Bridging Gowanus”; an inclusive community-driven planning process sponsored herself, Council Member Brad Lander, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and Council Member Stephen Levin to develop a long-term vision for a safe, vibrant, and sustainable Gowanus. The first in a series of community planning meetings was held on Monday, December 9th and was well attended by over 200 residents. For more information please visit www.bridginggowanus.org. The Assemblywoman has joined her fellow democrats in introducing a bill that would move State Primary elections to June. The bill (A.8198) would move the state's primary election from the Tuesday after the second Monday in September to June. As the law is now, Federal primaries for New York take place in June and state office primaries in September. Combining Federal, State and local primaries would eliminate an additional and costly election, saving New York about $50 million. The Assemblywoman is in full support and would like to reopen discussions with her colleagues to allow the undocumented residents to legally 4

apply for a driver’s license. She is excited and looks forward to the opening on December 17th of Brooklyn’s first Whole Foods which will be located at 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue in the Gowanus section of our district. She will be hosting the Park Slope Civic Council's toy drive in her office. Please bring a new toy to her office at 341 Smith Street before December 20th. She ended by thanking all the board members for their years of service.

Lauren Jacobson, representing Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz stated that the Borough President is also having a toy/book drive and new unwrapped toys can be brought to her office at 209 Joralemon Street before December 17th.

Matt Ojala, representing Council Member Stephen Levin, also announced that the Councilman is having a toy drive and they can be dropped off at his office at 410 Atlantic Avenue before December 19th. He ended by thanking everyone who participated in the “Bridging Gowanus” meeting.

Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, thanked everyone who participated in the Park Slope Street Safety Partnership, a consortium of civic groups, elected officials, and private citizens created to advance traffic calming efforts in the neighborhood. The mission of the group is to initiate an ongoing conversation about, and action plan for, eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries from the streets of our neighborhoods. One of the biggest things that came out of the meeting in dealing with traffic safety is the “three E’s” – engineering, enforcement, and education. During the meeting smaller breakout groups brainstormed ideas related to physical infrastructure improvements, enforcement efforts, and educational campaigns. The Partnership encourages everyone to visit http://map78.makebrooklynsafer.org/page/about “Kids Rely on Safe Streets in the 78th Precinct”, a website that allows users to identify the most significant street safety concerns in the neighborhood. She also thanked everyone who came to the “Bridging Gowanus” meeting to develop a framework for the infrastructure and land use needed for a safe, vibrant and sustainable Gowanus. There were 7 shared values that came out of the small group sharing. There will be another meeting in late January. For more information please visit http://bridginggowanus.org.

Laurie Wheelock, representing Assembly Member Jim Brennan, stated that the Assemblyman is having a toy drive and the toys can be drop off at his office at 416 7th Avenue. The New York State Senate passed the Nonprofit Revitalization Act (S5845) that would overhaul state laws that govern charities and other not-for- profit organizations. The state laws that apply to not-for-profits were enacted in 1969 and, since that time, there has been no comprehensive review and update until now. Governor Cuomo has until December 19th to sign or veto the bill.

Jordan Levine, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron stated that Piers 3 & 4 are now open and will give more people access to Brooklyn Bridge Park and our waterfront. Governor Cuomo has signed Senator Squadron's legislation to make the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program more accessible to middle class families. He ended by thanking everyone who came to the Senator’s Town Hall meeting.

Patrick Rhéaume, representing Congress Member Yvette Clarke, stated that if anyone has applied for any Federal program like Medicare, Social Security benefits and veteran benefits and it was taking a long time to process or appeal the Congress has adopted rules that will expedite the filing and appeals process.

Dan Wiley, representing Congress Member Nydia Velázquez, stated that there was a meeting in Red Hook this week sponsored by the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program which is a state program that is helping communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy and other storms to rebuild and become more resilient through innovative community-driven plans. For more info please contact: info@stormrecovery.ny.gov. He also thanked the residents who participated in “Bridging Gowanus” meeting and encourage anyone who was not there to participate in the next one. He ended by inviting everyone to a Community Health Fair sponsored by the Congresswoman on December 14th to learn how Health Reform will benefit you and your family or small 5

business; how to choose your own healthcare provider and how to enroll; receive free flu shots, blood pressure and dental screenings.

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 a new on-premises liquor license application at 381 7th Avenue.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 381 7th Avenue Wine Bar LLC at 381 7th Avenue (between 11th/12th Streets).

Board Member Glenn Kelly spoke out against the motion stating that the previous operator did not work with the neighbors and the outdoor space created a lot of noise which disturbed the quality of life of its neighbors.

VOTE: 34 YEAS, 2 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:36 P.M.

 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 

Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the November’s general meeting, seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly.

VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:37 P.M.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS 

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

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

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals for a Special Permit to construction of a school at 556 Columbia Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve an application (BSA Calendar No. 282-13-BZ) submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of Red Hook Property Group, LLC for a Special Permit pursuant to Section 73-19 of the Zoning Resolution to permit construction of a school (BASIS Independent School) in an M1-1 zoning district at 556 Columbia Street (Block 601, Lot 17), between Bay and Sigourney Street with the following condition that the applicant provide letters prior to the next Board meeting to commit to the following:

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 School will remain a private school in perpetuity and will not be converted to charter schools;  School agrees to commit to work with the Community Board and local authorities to resolve any transportation issues that may arise;  School agrees to work with local non-profits and community leaders to help determine the percentage of scholarships allocated to Red Hook children; and,  School agrees to sponsor and host a Community Advisory Committee.

Board Member Paige Bellenbaum asked what entity has oversight to make sure that the school follows through on their promises. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that there was no entity that has oversight. Usually community groups monitor to see if applicant follows through in these cases.

Board Member Noel Berk-Rauch stated that the schools representatives said there would be no scholarships in the first year and the school would begin to offer them in the second year.

Board Member Norman Cox asked what type of permit were they asking for and does it has to be recertified at a later date. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that it is a special permit to build a school building in a M1-1 zone and he is not sure if it needs to be recertified.

Board Member Peter Fleming asked why this location was chosen. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that they felt that out of all the locations they look at throughout the City this was the only location that fit their space requirements and probably affordable wise as well.

Board Member Francis Brown asked what part of the Red Hook community the school is working with. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that he was not sure which community groups the school was working with but the Red Hook Civic Association representative was at the meeting.

Board Member Suzanne Turet asked if they responded to our Responsible Development policy. She further stated that we should be talking to them about hiring union teachers as well as school crossing guards and cafeteria workers from the neighborhood. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that they did provide a responsive filing and has committed to hiring locally.

Board Member Dolly Williams spoke out against the motion stating that we worked hard at creating this IBZ zone and if we recommend approval of this application we will be setting a president that is in good. The school would be creating a lot of traffic, especially in an area where there is already high truck traffic causing dangerous situations for students who would be traveling to the school. She does not think this is a good place for a school.

Board Member Andrea McKnight spoke out against the motion stating that based on our 500 ft. notification rule how are the residents in public housing or beyond 500 ft. going to be informed about anything happing at the school, especially when and if they have scholarships.

Board Member Paige Bellenbaum asked if the school made a commitment to transport students to and from MTA train stations. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated yes.

Friendly Amendment: To ask the school to work with P.S. 15 to help support any trip program outside of Red Hook by supplying private transportation for the students.

Since the maker of the motion was not present, Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine accepted the friendly amendment.

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Board Member Ariel Krasnow stated that it is not fair to give an out-of-state, private for-profit business permission to build a school under the guise of a community facility when it really isn’t going to be used by this community.

Board Member Roger Rigolli spoke out against the motion stating that the applicant failed to work with the community at-large. This heavily used truck route which will be dangerous to the families attending the school. If we keep approving these types of application we will push businesses out and people will lose jobs. Lastly he feels the school has committed to false promises.

Board Member Hildegaard Link asked if this was a for-profit school. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated yes. She further stated that this flies in the face of liberal education in NYC and that this proposal is disingenuous especially since they have not sat down with the community beyond 500 ft. If we don’t stop rolling over in Red Hook to real estate we will lose light industry in the area.

Board Member Glenn Kelly opposes the chipping away of the IBZ zone. He also stated that he does not know enough to say that they are bringing something positive to the community. Lastly he wanted to know what the school’s philosophy was as well as what curriculum they were using.

Board Member David Mazzuca asked if this was the first urban community school the applicant was opening. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated no. He further asked if they had good relations with the communities in the other locations. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that the schools representatives stated yes they did.

Board Member Paige Bellenbaum retracted her friendly amendment.

Board Member Elly Spicer stated that the school should have sent out flyers to the entire community not just within 500 feet knowing that there really isn’t anyone within that distance.

Board Member Benjamin Solotaire ask what is the timeline in terms of opening the school. Do they have enough time to meet with the community at-large and can a traffic study be done. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that he was not sure of an exact time line but they wanted to open in fall 2014.

Board Member Norman Cox asked if the applicant described what they did to find a location for the school. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated yes, they stated that they did an extensive search and they could not find another space as big at the Red Hook site for the price.

Board Member Ariel Krasnow stated that on their website the tuition for the school is $23,500 with no special needs, grants or scholarships.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley spoke out against the motion stating that the applicant had not reached out and worked with the community at-large.

Board Member Gary Reilly also spoke out against the motion stating that they are asking us to do something outside of what our vision is for Red Hook.

Board Member Elly Spicer stated that if they build this school they need to find local contractors.

Board Member Eladia Causil-Rodriguez spoke in favor of the motion stating that she runs a private school and schools build communities by bring families to that community. One other positive thing is that schools utilize the businesses in the surrounding area.

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VOTE: 2 YEAS, 33 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION FAILED

TIME: 8:20 P.M.

Motion: by Board Member Peter Fleming, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; Recommendation to disapprove an application (BSA Calendar No. 282-13-BZ) submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of Red Hook Property Group, LLC for a Special Permit pursuant to Section 73-19 of the Zoning Resolution to permit construction of a school (BASIS Independent School) in an M1-1 zoning district at 556 Columbia Street (Block 601, Lot 17), between Bay and Sigourney Street for the following reasons:  Not an appropriate place for a school, location is in an IBZ zone.  Failure to engage the community at-large

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:23 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine also reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the restoration of garden level window and entrance, alterations to rear yard extension, deck rail and stairs at 861 Carroll Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the restoration of garden level window and entrance, alterations to rear yard extension, deck rail and stairs at 861 Carroll Street (between 8th Avenue/PPW), Park Slope Historic District with the condition that a mullion be added to the wrap-around windows at the edge/corner of the building/extension.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:28 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine further reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the installation of a ground floor window on the side elevation of 527 1st Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of a ground floor window on the side elevation of 527 1st Street (between 8th Avenue/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District.

Board Member Sayar Lonial asked what the size difference was between the small and large windows. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated he was not sure but it was not significant.

Board Member Glenn Kelly asked if they were going to change the height of the floor and if the railing was vertical. Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine stated that they were not going to change the height of the floor and the railing was horizontal.

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VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:33 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine additionally reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the installation of storefront, lighting and sign band at 230 Court Street; and the removal of signage and planters and the installation of a handicap ramp at 228-230 Court Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of storefront, lighting and sign band at 230 Court Street; and the removal of signage and planters and the installation of a handicap ramp at 228-230 Court Street (northwest corner Court/Baltic Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District with the following conditions:  Base of the ramp match the existing façade surface and color  Railing on ramp made more appropriate with historic railings in Historic District

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:37 P.M.

Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine furthermore reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the installation of HVAC equipment on the roof and a side yard extension including deck, new door with transom and stairs to yard at 117 8th Avenue.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of HVAC equipment on the roof and a side yard extension including deck, new door with transom and stairs to yard at 117 8th Avenue (northeast corner Carroll Street/8th Avenue), Park Slope Historic District with the condition that the applicant work with LPC to determine the color of the condensers.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:43 P.M.

PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE………….GLENN KELLY, CO-CHAIR

…………...NORMAN COX, CO-CHAIR

Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Co-Chair Glenn Kelly reported to the Board that the committee reviewed a proposal by the President Street Block Association to establish a community garden at 503 President Street.

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve a proposal by the President Street Block Association to establish a community garden at 503 President Street (Block 440, Lot 45) between Nevins Street/3rd Avenue with the condition that they return in one year for a progress report.

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Board Member Ariel Krasnow asked why the original two groups did not work together to form this garden. Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Co-Chair Glenn Kelly stated that the two groups could not come to an agreement so they went their separate ways and the residents on the block put in this application on their own.

Board Member Sayar Lonial asked if the property would remain under the jurisdiction of HPD. Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Co-Chair Glenn Kelly stated yes.

Board Member Elizabeth Shipley asked if the proposal was presented as a community group or two neighbors who want to expand their backyards for barbequing and not allow the rest of the community to use it. Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Co-Chair Glenn Kelly stated that this is a group of homeowners on the block not just the two neighbors.

Board Member Dolly Williams stated that we need a garden on this block.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:46 P.M.

Motion: by Board Member Sayar Lonial, seconded by Board Member Roger Rigolli; Recommendation to request from HPD that CB6 be notified prior to any consideration of transfer of control of the site at 503 President Street.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:55 P.M.

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 the Department of Transportation’s designs for the North Flatbush Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Capital project

Motion: by Committee;

Recommendation to approve the Department of Transportation’s designs for the North Flatbush Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Capital project HWK300-01 with the following condition that DOT look at the potential of increasing the use of permeable surfaces and inclusion of more bicycle racks, including Citi Bikes.

Board Member Ariel Krasnow asked if there would be any budget overlap with DEP in regards to the installation of bioswells. Transportation/Public Safety Chair Thomas Miskel stated no because they are limited by the capital budget.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 9:01 P.M.

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 COMMUNITY SESSION 

Chris Hammett, resident from Red Hook, thanked the board for its vote on the proposed private school located at 556 Columbia Street. He asks the board to take a look at the 197a plan that this board created and follow its precepts when discussion anything in Red Hook. He encourages to board to be partners with the community in regards to all development in the area.

Pierre Devand, representing the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, stated that in July of 2013 the Governor announced contract awards for the New York State Department of Health's In-Person Assistor/Navigator program, which will serve the state as the primary facilitator of enrollment in health insurance through the newly established Health Benefit Exchange. The Brooklyn Alliance was awarded the contract to provide these services in Brooklyn to both individuals and small businesses. For more information visit http://www.ibrooklyn.com/business_support/ACA_IPA_Navigator_Program.aspx.

Marvin Ciporen, Park Slope resident, thanked the Board and New York Methodist for postponing the process so further conversation can continue with the community. He further stated that he hopes NYM will release the proposed changes to the original designs prior to the January meeting so the community has an opportunity to review them and better be prepared for discussion at that meeting.

Lyn Hill, representing NY Methodist Hospital, thanked the board for agreeing to defer their recommendation until further discussion could be had by all parties. NY Methodist believes this project will be important in providing first class healthcare to Brooklynites in years to come and they will provide the additional information about the proposal that the board has requested.

Phaedra Thomas, consultant to the Gowanus Bay Terminal, thanked the board for its vote on the proposed private school located at 556 Columbia Street. She further stated that one of Red Hooks largest employers (JoFaz school bus Company) is right down the block from this proposed site and they employ 700 individuals, with 200 coming from the Red Hook Houses. These are the exact jobs that will be displaced if we continue to erode our IBZ. All of the properties around the site are occupied even the site itself is being used to park trucks.

 NEW/OTHER BUSINESS 

Board Member Glenn Kelly informed the board that Smith Street Stage will be presenting “A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play in the Robert Acito Park House in Carroll Park. The dates and times are as follows: December 11th, 12th, 13th, at 8pm; December 14th, at 5pm & 8pm, and; December 15th, at 5pm.

To purchase tickets go to http://smithstreetstage.org/Smith_Street_Stage/Welcome.html. He also invited everyone the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Carroll Park on December 13th at 6pm.

Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Hildegaard Link; To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 9:25 P.M.

Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Leroy Branch on December 26, 2013.

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