March 9, 2016

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

OLD FIRST REFORMED CHURCH

729 CARROLL STREET

MARCH 9, 2016

ATTENDANCE

PRESENT:

J.ARMER R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM

P. BLAKE F. BROWN D. BUSCARELLO

E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE E. FELDER

P. FLEMING K. GURL V. HAGMAN

V. HERAMIA J. HEYER G. KELLY

A. KRASNOW D. KUMMER R. LEVINE

H. LINK S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS

E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL M. NEUMAN

C. PIGOTT L. PINN M. RACIOPPO

G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI M. RUIZ

D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES M. SILVERMAN

J. OLTMAN-SMITH J. THOMPSON S. TURET

R. UNDERWOOD D. WILLIAMS

EXCUSED:

M. SILVERMAN

ABSENT:

J. BROWN M. CABALLERO A. FREEMAN

F. JEAN A. MEHTA

GUESTS:

HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

HON. CARLOS MENCHACA, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE

J. ARDELA, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE

R. YOUNG, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE

M. HIRSH, STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER BRENNAN’S REPRESENTATIVE

K. BROUGHTON, STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER ORTIZ’S REPRESENTATIVE

J. HARVEY, STATE ASSEMBLMEMBER SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE

O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE

R. ROTHBLATT, STATE SENATOR HAMILTON’S REPRESENTATIVE

D. WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELAZQUEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE

D. ABRAMSON, MAYOR DE BLASIO’S REPRESENTATIVE

L. BENJAMIN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMPSON’S REPRESENTIVE

A. CHIRENO, COMPTROLLER STRINGER’S REPRESENTATIVE

B. MCLAURIN, PUBLIC ADVOCATE JAMES’ REPRESENTATIVE

Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office.

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Chairperson Sayar Lonial called the meeting to order at 6:40pm.

 ADOPTION OF MINUTES 

Board Member Glenn Kelly offered a correction to the minutes of the February general meeting, pointing out that the month of the previously considered and approved minutes was incorrect. The correction was noted and applied.

Board Member Roger Rigolli made a motion to accept the minutes of the February’s general meeting as corrected, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer.

VOTE: 27 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 6:42 P.M.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………..............SAYAR LONIAL

Chairperson Lonial opened the meeting by re-introducing himself to the board and all public attendees, this being his first meeting as the board’s chair. Mr. Lonial thanked the out-going chairperson, Gary Reilly, as well as the other former chairs who are still serving on the board: Daniel Kummer, Richard Bashner, Pauline Blake, and Jerry Armer. Mr. Lonial expressed his gratitude to these individuals for their continuing counsel, and noted that having a board full of experienced leadership is a great luxury and fosters a culture that has institutional knowledge and community influence.

Mr. Lonial continued his remarks by thanking the board’s district office, particularly District Manager Craig Hammerman, for the work they do and they role they’ve played in his transition from 1st Vice Chair to Chair.

The Chair expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the board’s general make-up and demeanor, especially the impact of the new, younger members. Mr. Lonial remarked that he hoped the next year would include thoughtful deliberation on the spectrum of community matters that come before the board, and he hopes to expand the board’s impact on those matters that aren’t directly influenced via existing processes. He offered an open door policy to all board members regarding all matters they deem important.

Mr. Lonial reported that he nominated Board Member Mike Racioppo to fill his former role as 1st Vice Chair. The Executive Committee unanimously ratified the appointment. The Chair thanked Mr. Racioppo for taking on the responsibility and welcomed him to the front table.

The Chairperson closed his remarks by reminding board members of the nomination deadline for the Brooklyn CB6 Youth Acknowledgment Awards, which is April 1st, and he encouraged board members to attend the Youth, Human Services and Education Committee meeting on March 23rd. Lastly, he thanked Board Members Pauline Blake, Mark Shames, Mike Racioppo, and Rob Underwood for agreeing to attend an upcoming meeting relevant to Woodland Restaurant on Flatbush Avenue.

Mr. Lonial then took the meeting into a brief business session regarding a motion from the Executive Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE……………………………………………SAYAR LONIAL, BOARD CHAIR

Board Chair Sayar Lonial reported that the committee reviewed a request to provide a letter of support to NYU

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Hospitals Center (NYUHC). Mr. Lonial reported on the motion, but recused himself from offering opinion or voting, as he is an employee of New York University.

Motion: To provide a letter of support to New York University Hospital Center for the expansion of their ambulance service to include all of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAY, 2 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 6:53P.M.

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

District Manager Craig Hammerman reported that, as part of the board’s conditional approval of the New York Methodist Hospital’s Center for Community Health project, NYMHC notified the district office of their filed Statement of Needs to the New York State Department of Health. Mr. Hammerman reported that the needs statement was filed with the state on March 2. NYMHC has provided the district office with a URL, at which the entire needs statement can be reviewed. The District Manager stated that if any board member’s wished to review the statement they could contact the district office.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE

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

…..…………....MIKE RACIOPPO, PERMITS & LICENSES CHAIR

Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 67 4th Avenue.

Motion: Approval of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of DDC & Sykes, LLC at 67 4th Avenue (between Bergen Street/St. Marks Place).

VOTE: 32 YEAS, 1 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 6:58P.M.

Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 206 Garfield Place.

Motion: Approval a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Haramoto Group LLC at 206 Garfield Place (between 7th Avenue/Polhemus Place).

VOTE: 34 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:00P.M.

Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 480 Union Street.

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Motion: Approval of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 2.0 Dining LLC at 224 4th Avenue (between Union/President Streets).

VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAY, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:02P.M.

Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a renewal of an on-premises liquor license at 242 Flatbush Avenue.

Motion: Disapproval of the renewal of a current on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Prime Six Inc. at 242 Flatbush Avenue (between Bergen Street/6th Avenue).

Discussion ensued relevant to Prime Six Inc.’s (DBA: Woodland) impact on the surrounding community, with a majority of neighbors supporting the decision to disapprove. A number of points of clarification were brought up, chief among them being that the State Liquor Authority had already renewed the license, as Community Board input is only advisory and the NYSLA is a licensing agency with a legal obligation to renew so long as they have no verifiable record of legal wrongdoing on behalf of the establishment.

Board Member Daniel Kummer made a friendly amendment, requesting that the Board’s resolution include a letter to the NYSLA requesting that they re-open the renewal process for Prime Six, Inc. and take steps to revoke their license based on the complaints of the neighbors.

VOTE: 30 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 7:25P.M.

Chairperson Lonial recognized Council Member Brad Lander, as well as Jim Harvey of State Assembly Member Simon’s office, Robbie Young of State Senator Squadron’s office, and Daniel Abramson of Mayor de Blasio’s office. All four issued remarks on out-going Chairperson Gary Reilly, thanking him for his service to the community and wishing him luck in the future.

Councilmember Lander also took time to request that board members respond to Participatory Budgeting requests, and offered his thoughts on the likely next steps in the LICH development process.

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

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

Land Use Chair Peter Fleming, filling in for Landmarks Chair Robert Levine, who could not attend the committee meeting, reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 396 Clinton Street.

Motion: To conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of rooftop HVAC equipment at the Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street (corner Union Street), Individual Landmark.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

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TIME: 7:48P.M.

Land Use Chair Peter Fleming, filling in for Landmarks Chair Robert Levine, who could not attend the committee meeting, reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 620 6th Street.

Motion: To disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a two-story rear yard extension with deck at 620 6th Street (between 8th Avenue/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:54P.M.

Land Use Chair Peter Fleming, filling in for Landmarks Chair Robert Levine, who could not attend the committee meeting, reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 624 11th Street.

Motion: To approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the legalization of window replacements at 624 11th Street (between 8th Avenue/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District.

VOTE: 36 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 7:57P.M.

Land Use Chair Peter Fleming, filling in for Landmarks Chair Robert Levine, who could not attend the committee meeting, reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 469 Henry Street.

Motion: To disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for modifications the bulkhead design for a previously approved project at 469 Henry Street (between Kane/Degraw Street), Cobble Hill Historic District.

Conversation ensued relevant to the utility of disapproving an application that is required by the Department of Buildings for safety purposes. A number of Board Members were opposed to the committee’s motion, seeing it as unjustifiably stringent in its concern for Landmark rules. A number of committee members reported that the applicant themselves did not wish to build this new bulkhead, and considered the Community Board review process to be simply procedural.

VOTE: 15 YEAS, 20 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION

MOTION FAILED

TIME: 8:00P.M.

Land Use Chair Peter Fleming made a new motion to reverse the committee's recommendation

Motion: By Board Member Peter Fleming; seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer

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To approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for modifications the bulkhead design for a previously approved project at 469 Henry Street (between Kane/Degraw Street), Cobble Hill Historic District.

Mr. Fleming added a friendly amendment, stating that the board is opposed to the presented plans from a Landmarks perspective and requesting that the smallest bulkhead possible be built.

VOTE: 34 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 8:15P.M.

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

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

………………ERIC MCCLURE, CO-CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION

……...………MATTHEW SILVERMAN, CHAIR, PUBLIC SAFETY

Transportation Co-Chair Eric McClure reported that the committee heard a request for support from the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s proposed Atlantic Basin stop for Citywide Ferry Service, as well as integration of Citywide Ferry Service into the MTA Fare System.

Motion: To support (i) Atlantic Basin as the Red Hook stop for the Citywide Ferry Service, and (ii) the integration of the Citywide Ferry Service into the MTA fare system.

VOTE: 35 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 8:23P.M.

Transportation Co-Chair Eric McClure reported that the committee reviewed a proposal by the Department of Transportation to install temporary seasonal seating in the parking lane in front of 63 5th Avenue.

Motion: To conditionally approve a proposal by the Department of Transportation to install temporary seasonal seating in the parking lane in front of 63 5th Avenue (southeast corner St.Marks/ 5th Avenues), under the City’s Street Seats program.

Conversation ensued, with some Board Member’s opposed to the use of metered parking spaces for seasonal seating, believing that this was a de facto sidewalk café. Several points of clarification were made, including the point that Street Seats are not, in fact, sidewalk cafes but public access seating designed to make portions of the street public space. It was also clarified that the Department of Transportation presented this on behalf of an application that is endorsed by the local BID, suggesting that businesses in the area are in support of the placement.

VOTE: 22 YEAS, 10 NAYS, 3 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED

TIME: 8:35P.M.

Chairperson Lonial recognized Council Member Menchaca, who was in attendance, and then recognized the representatives of other elected officials:

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Council Member Menchaca thanked out-going Chair Gary Reilly and congratulated new Chair Sayar Lonial. The Council Member remarked that he is excited about the Atlantic Basin stop on the citywide ferry service. Mr. Menchaca stated that work is on-going regarding the Pathmark on Hamilton Avenue, and said he should have a more concrete update in the next month or two. The Council Member closed his remarks by remind attendees that Participatory Budgeting is about to begin, and he asked for comments and recommendations to be directed to his office as soon as possible.

Jeff Lowell, representing Borough President Eric Adams, remarked that if anyone has questions or comments about the recently announced decision of the Borough President to vote to deny to Oxford Nursing Home application with conditions, they can speak to him after the meeting. Mr. Lowell also thanked out-going Chair Gary Reilly for his years of service to the board, and congratulated Mr. Lonial on his new position as Chair.

A number of state and city-wide elected officials also had representatives in attendance, all offering brief updates relevant to statewide budgeting, citywide budgeting, transportation, and a number of pieces of legislation recently passed or being considered at this time.

 COMMUNITY SESSION 

Ann McDermott, representing the Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network, asked the Community Board to consider asking for veto powers over district rezonings.

Timm Lhuisano and Dante Aplizzo reported an on-going issue of oil stench in the air on Huntington Street in Carroll Gardens.

Andy Mills of Union Street reported concerns over landlord intimidation.

Irma Barrera, representing Forest City Ratner, offered an update regarding the affordable housing lottery at Pacific Park near the Barclays Center.

 NEW/OTHER BUSINESS 

Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli, seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

TIME: 9:15P.M.

Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty on March 31, 2016.

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