BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
P.S. 58 AUDITORIUM
330 SMITH STREET
APRIL 13, 2016
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J.ARMER R. BASHNER P. BELLENBAUM
P. BLAKE F. BROWN D. BUSCARELLO
E. FELDER P. FLEMING A. FREEMAN
V. HAGMAN V. HERAMIA J. HEYER
F. JEAN G. KELLY A. KRASNOW
R. LEVINE H. LINK S. LONIAL
R. LUFTGLASS E. MCCLURE A. MEHTA
T. MISKEL M. NEUMAN C. PIGOTT
L. PINN M. RACIOPPO M. RUIZ
D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES M. SILVERMAN
J. THOMPSON S. TURET R. UNDERWOOD
EXCUSED:
J. BROWN E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ SR. R. CERVONE
K. GURL D. KUMMER G. REILLY
J.OLTMAN-SMITH D. WILLIAMS
ABSENT:
M. CABALLERO R. RIGOLLI
GUESTS:
HON. STEPHEN LEVIN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR
HON. DANIEL SQUADRON, STATE SENATOR
J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
M. SACRI, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LEVIN’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. ARDELA, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
I. COHEN, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
R. YOUNG, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HARVEY, STATE ASSEMBLMEMBER SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELAZQUEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
L. BENJAMIN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMPSON’S REPRESENTIVE
G. LEWENSTEIN, PUBLIC ADVOCATE JAMES’ REPRESENTATIVE
Complete list of meeting attendees on file at District Office. 1
Chairperson Sayar Lonial called the meeting to order at 6:40pm.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the March general meeting, seconded by Board Member Tom Miskel.
VOTE: 23 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 6:44 P.M.
Chairperson Sayar Lonial opened the meeting by recognizing State Senator Daniel Squadron, who took the floor for some updates and announcements.
Senator Squadron opened his remarks by congratulating the Chairperson on his new role with the board. The Senator offered a brief update on the proposed East River Ferry Expansion, stating that his office has worked to guarantee that Ferry fares will match MTA fares, which is a decrease in price for the Ferry service price.
Senator Squadron closed his remarks by commenting on the passing of the State Budget, which included a $15 per hour minimum wage and Paid Family Leave legislation.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………..............SAYAR LONIAL
Chairperson Lonial opened his report by outlining his hopes for establishing a proactive approach to using committees to affect change in the community, singling out the Youth, Education and Human Services committee as an example for how a proactive approach should be implemented. The Chairperson stated that he requested committee chairs open discussion within their committees to reconsider each committee’s mission statement moving forward.
Mr. Lonial thanked Board Member Eric McClure and District Manager Craig Hammerman for attending a Department of Transportation meeting regarding a bike lane upgrade to Bond Street, and invited anyone interested in more information to attend the Transportation/Public Safety committee meeting on April 21 st. The Chair stated that the newest iteration of the CitiBike proposal would also be discussed at this committee meeting.
The Chair updated the board on Borough Hall’s Operation Safe Shopper program, which will provide additional security cameras that will be focused on public sidewalks along five commercial corridors throughout Brooklyn. The Fifth Avenue corridor was selected by Borough Hall to participate in the initial rollout, and the Borough President’s office will be working the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID to identify suitable locations for cameras.
Mr. Lonial remarked on the Youth Opportunity Fair, which took place on April 12th. The Chair stated that four tables were staffed by CB6 board and public members, and over two-hundred youth attended from all over Brooklyn. Mr. Lonial stated that the CB6 tables focused on themes of civic engagement, while Red Hook Initiative, one of the Board’s partners, focused on job preparation and readiness. Mr. Lonial thanked Red Hook Initiative, Red Hook Community Justice Center, and Good Shepherd Services for co-sponsoring the event.
The Chair closed his remarks by commenting on the closing on By Brooklyn, a store that sells goods made in
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Brooklyn. Mr. Lonial remarked that he hopes the Board will examine if they have a role to play with regard to empty storefronts.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman reported that the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve the previously reviewed second expansion of the Park Slope Historic District.
Mr. Hammerman reported that there was a final stakeholders meeting regarding the Red Hook Microgrid, hosted by the Red Hook Initiative. Mr. Hammerman stated that there is a degree of uncertainty as to whether they will be filing a Phase II grant application, and that the decisions will be made over the course of the next few weeks as the Phase I final report is issued.
District Manager Hammerman announced that the Solarize Brooklyn CB6 II will be kicking off formally on Tuesday, April 26th at the Prospect Park YMCA from 6:30-8:30pm. Mr. Hammerman stated that the Solarize II initiative will pick up where the first phase left off, with an attempt to double back to the remaining live leads that were not previously closed on. Additionally, the second phase will explore “community solar”, which Mr. Hammerman compared to a co-operative system with options to buy into different solar power systems.
The District Manager closed his remarks by reintroducing Professor Mary Lutz of City College, whose class is collecting information for a Community Needs Survey for CB6. Mr. Hammerman encouraged board members to participate in the survey after the meeting.
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 276 Smith Street.
Motion: By Board Member Pauline Blake; seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly Approval of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Nogwdboyo Enterprises LLC at 276 Smith Street (between Degraw/Sackett Streets).
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:11P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 72 Bowne Street.
Motion: By Board Member Peter Fleming; seconded by Board Member Rick Luftglass Approval a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Empress 1 LLC at 72 Bowne Street (between Van Brunt/Imlay Streets).
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:13P.M.
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Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 196 Smith Street.
Motion: By Board Member Jerry Armer; seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming Approval of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of MP Smith Street LLC at 196 Smith Street (between Warren/Baltic Streets).
VOTE: 28 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:15P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 310 5th Avenue.
Motion: By Board Member Peter Fleming; seconded by Board Member Max Neuman
Approval of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of IL Sogna Ristorante at 310 5th Avenue (between 2nd/3rd Streets).
VOTE: 27 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:16P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit at 284 Van Brunt Street.
Motion: By Board Member Glenn Kelly; seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming Approval of a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of RHLP 284 LLC at 284 Van Brunt Street (between Verona Street/Visitation Place).
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:17P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 256 4th Avenue.
Motion: By Board Member Peter Fleming; seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer Approval of a new of on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Henri on Fifth LLC at 256 4th Avenue (between President/Carroll Streets).
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:18P.M.
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Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new unenclosed sidewalk café permit at 187 Columbia Street.
Motion: By Board Member Rick Luftglass; seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly Approval of a new unenclosed sidewalk cafe application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Columbia 4 LLC at 187 Columbia Street (between Degraw/Sackett Streets).
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:19P.M.
LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE…………………ROBERT LEVINE, CHAIR, LANDMARKS
………………...……PETER FLEMING, CHAIR, LAND USE
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine, filling in for Land Use Chair Peter Fleming, who could not attend the committee meeting, reported that the committee reviewed an application for a special permit for a physical culture establishment at 555 5th Avenue.
Motion: Approval of an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of Fifteenth and Fifth LLC for a special permit pursuant to Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution to allow a physical culture establishment (PCE) within portions of the existing commercial building at 555 5th Avenue (Block 1042, Lot 1), at the northeast corner of 5th Avenue/15th Street, which is located within a C4-3A zoning district.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:26P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 158 Court Street.
Motion: To disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the installation of a new gate at 158 Court Street (between Pacific/Amity Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
VOTE: 22 YEAS, 8 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:35P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 185-187 Pacific Street.
Motion: To conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the legalization of a bulkhead stairway, elevator door replacement, and the legalization and alteration of signage and lighting at 185- 187 Pacific Street (between Court/Clinton Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.
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VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:45P.M.
Chairperson Lonial recognized Council Member Stephen Levin, who briefed the Board on up-coming work his office is keeping an eye on.
Council Member Levin noted the up-coming Wyckoff Gardens rezoning as part of Next Gen NYCHA. The Council member stated that the rezoning would have a dramatic impact of the community at Wyckoff Gardens. Mr. Levin asked the Board to be on the look-out for the rezoning proposal and remarked that his office is taking the matter very seriously.
Council Member Levin updated the Board on the soon to be used FEMA dollars related to Superstorm Sandy, which will be used at Gowanus Houses. Mr. Levin noted that the estimate is roughly $100 million of infrastructure improvements at Gowanus Houses, which is in addition to the $300-400 million in infrastructure improvements coming Red Hook Houses. Mr. Levin expressed his pleasure with the rough half a billion dollars in improvements, and noted that he wants the local community to participate in the jobs generated by these funds.
**LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE CONTINUED**
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 419 7th Avenue.
Motion: To conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the replacement of stucco with brick veneer on all facades of 419 7th Avenue (northeast corner 7th Ave/14th Street), Park Slope Historic District.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:00P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 563 5th Street.
Motion: To conditionally approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the expansion of a rear yard extension at 563 5th Street (between 8th Ave/Prospect Park West), Park Slope Historic District.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:09P.M.
Chairperson Lonial recognized the representatives of elected and public officials who were in attendance.
Jeff Lowell, representing Borough President Eric Adams, updated the Board on the most recent Tenants Rights Workshop held at Borough Hall, noting that many Brooklyn residents were introduced to lawyers and
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representatives who could help them if they face harassment from landlords. Mr. Lowell stated that April is Financial Empowerment Education Month at Borough Hall and invited attendees to an upcoming Credit Workshop, where you can learn about your credit score and credit reporting.
Juan Ardelo and Ilana Cohen, representing Council Member Brad Lander, updated the board on the on-going Participatory Budgeting cycle. Ms. Cohen remarked that the Council Member’s website would post the winning ideas on April 14th.
Dan Wiley, representing Congress Member Nydia Velazquez, noted that the Congresswoman recently supported an increase for the capital operating funding for NYCHA, as well as Public Housing Authorities across the country, along with other members of the New York City Congressional Delegation. Mr. Wiley also offered specifics on the FEMA dollars mentioned earlier in the evening by Council Member Levin, noting that the money includes new play equipment and other quality of life items beyond the typical infrastructure and resiliency measures.
COMMUNITY SESSION
Professor Mary Lutz of City College reintroduced herself and introduced a number of her students to the Board and at-large attendees. Professor Lutz outlined the logic behind and goals of their Community Needs Survey, and stressed the importance of anyone in attendance filling one out. Professor Lutz noted that Board Members, in particular, should feel inclined to approach her students after the meeting so they can be presented with a copy of the survey. Professor Lutz closed her remarks by thanking District Manager Hammerman and the Board for their interest in the survey, and she expressed excitement on behalf of her students.
Chairperson Lonial recognized Oscar Jonas, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. Mr. Jonas offered highlights of the State Budget, and presented commendations to Board Members Max Neuman, Kara Gurl, and Akash Mehta for their commitment to the community at such a young age.
Chairperson Lonial then recognized State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. Senator Montgomery updated the Board on the search for a local Middle School that will feed into the Harbor School. The Senator expressed her excitement for this process, and promised to return to next month’s board meeting to offer a more complete update.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Motion: by Board Member Matt Silverman; seconded by Board Member Tom Miskel; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:26P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty on April 29, 2016.
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