BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES
OCTOBER 26, 2015
PRESENT:
P. BLAKE D. CARCACHE G. KELLY
J. LI H. LINK S. LONIAL
R. MYERS M. PERETZ M. RACIOPPO
M. SHAMES R. UNDERWOOD
EXCUSED:
T. MISKEL M. SCOTT
ABSENT:
D. BUSCARELLO B. FULLER-GOOGINS P. GIBSON
S. MILLER L. PINN A. ROCK
M. RUIZ
GUESTS:
C. ZINNEL – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Z. DUCAS A. RYCHLENSKI S. TAGLIAVIA
L. MARIANI
*** M I N U T E S ***
The meeting was called to order at 6:41pm by co-chair, Mark Shames.
Update and discussion with representatives for the Environmental Protection Agency on the siting decisions related to the Gowanus Canal Superfund remedial plan item which mandates the construction of retention tanks to capture stormwater currently discharged into the canal.
Walter Mugdan of the Environmental Protection Agency made the presentation. Gowanus became a Superfund site in 2015. Cleanup program – mud is very contaminated by “coal tar waste” Reduce the amount of sewers – same pipes in street carries sewage, wastewater and stormwater. CSO (combined sewage overflow).
Proposal: Two CSO retention tanks – right at top of the canal, and one a third of the way down the canal. Tonight is to discuss the larger of the two tanks proposed for Butler Street – Double D Pool tank is proposed. The Double D pool would need to be removed and replaced (excavation would be done by National Grid).
Two options: 1. Park site 2. “Head of canal” site
Pros/Cons of park sites “Head of canal”– the greatest concern of EPA is the timeline. Decision has not been made yet.
Park Site: Pro – no limited condemnation Pro – opportunity to enhance pool. Con – tank under the pool will take longer. Park out of commission for a long time.
Q & A:
Glenn Kelly: How long will it take to do tank under pool vs. acquiring land? A: If they have willing sellers quickly but more likely an unwilling seller. EPA not the City thinks that spot (head of canal) is more difficult.
George: There is a whole warehouse for sale at Sackett and 3rd Streets. A. The city didn’t think it was as attractive.
Audience: Does EPA make decisions by itself? A: Yes, but with City input.
Audience: Would Butler Street residents need to be impacted? A: Would not need to be moved but there will be disruption.
There was a proposal from the audience for larger plan to “solution” and remediation including pools made of re-used dumpsters.
Tank’s Head House purpose is to handle odor control.
Concern about engineering complexity: EPA greater engineering difficulties at the head of the canal. Risk of canal cave-in.
Community Advisory Group: Issue has been discussed and a tour of Alley Creek which is a Head House from location.
Question about Double D location – How much of a clean-up will we get? A: Contamination goes, at least, 20-25 feet deep and in some parts 50 feet deep.
Question about eminent domain – seems like it will be required in either case. A: EPA agreed.
Regina Myers expressed concern about the existence of the pool. EPA would be more demanding about timeline if pool choice is made.
Katya: The pool is used for 2½ months not all year. Why would the city slow down the process? City: We need the “head house”.
Eminent domain concerns:
Q: Can we do above and below pool? A: EPA: it may be an option.
Presentation and review of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 669 Union Corp at 669 Union Street (between 4th/5th Avenues).
The Prawn Shop will have a raw bar and “boils”.
No one came from the community. Pauline Blake ask did the owners notify the community and they said yes.
Pauline Blake also inquired if they had outdoor space. Liza, the applicant said to come back – will not use the space yet.
Glenn Kelly inquired about the opening of the French doors. Applicant said that they would keep French doors closed.
A motion to approve as presented was made by Hildegaard Link and seconded by Glenn Kelly.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
(Continued) Presentation and review of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Oh Really Now LLC at 232 3rd Street (between 3rd/4th Avenues.
On-site events in catering space.
Glenn Kelly asked the applicant what did they learn?
Applicant said they posted more widely. The businesses that responded.
Rob Underwood asked about the school notification and the applicant said that they posted at the school and notified.
A motion was made by Mark Shames and seconded by Glenn Kelly to approve.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 264 Clinton Street (between Verandah Place/Warren Street).s).
Unique location given space and distance from other bars.
Sayar Lonial: Concern about a bar open so late in this area.
Applicant: Believes the neighborhood is behind this location. The hours are similar to current location. The name of the establishment is to be decided.
Motion to approve was made by Rob Underwood and seconded by Hildegaard Link.
MOTION APPROVED
The minutes of September 28, 2015 were approved with two changes.
1. Rob Underwood was listed as absent but was present.
2. The word “divest” to be changed to “divert”.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.