BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PROSPECT PARK YMCA
357 9TH STREET
JUNE 8, 2016
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J. ARMER R. BASHNER P. BASILE
P. BLAKE J. BROWN D. BUSCARELLO
S. CIALEK E. FELDER P. FLEMING
K. GURL V. HERAMIA J. HEYER
G. KELLY D. KUMMER R. LEVINE
H. LINK S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS
E. McCLURE A. MEHTA T. MISKEL
M. NEUMAN L. PINN M. RACIOPPO
R. RIGOLLI D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES
J. SKALLER J. SMITH S. TARPIN
J. THOMPSON S. TURET R. UNDERWOOD
D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED:
P. BELLENBAUM F. BROWN E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ
SR. R. CERVONE A. KRASNOW P. LI
E. SANTOGADE M. SILVERMAN
ABSENT:
M. CABALLERO A. FREEMAN V. HAGMAN
F. JEAN C. PIGOTT M. RUIZ
GUESTS:
J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
J. ARDILA, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HARVEY, ASSEMBLYWOMAN SIMON’S REPRESENTATIVE
O. JONAS, STATE SENATOR MONTGOMERY’S REPRESENTATIVE
R. ROTHBLATT, STATE SENATOR HAMILTON’S REPRESENTATIVE
S. WU, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELÁZQUEZ’S REPRESENTATIVE
L. BENJAMIN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMPSON’S REPRESENTATIVE
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 6:45pm.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Board Member Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the minutes of the May general meeting, seconded by Board Member Eric McClure.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 6:47 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………………………..............SAYAR LONIAL
Chairperson Sayar Lonial opened his report by announcing that the Borough President has released the 2016-17 roster of Community Board Members and would like to welcome any new members we have among us tonight. Please stand up when I call your name. The following members were appointed at the recommendation of CM Lander: Paul Basile, President of the Gowanus Alliance which is a business advocacy group actively working in the Southern Gowanus portion; Josh Skaller, District Leader for the 52nd Assembly District, and; Puichin (Jane) Li, a longtime member of our Youth/Human Services/Education Committee. At the recommendation of Council Member Menchaca, we have Steve Tarpin, who some people may know as the Steve from Steve’s Key Lime Pies based in Red Hook. And the Borough President appointed Elena Santogard and Sam Cialek both from Park Slope. The only Board Member we lost was Gary Reilly so at this time our roster stands at 48 board members.
The Chair presumptively congratulated all 3 of our youth members on their upcoming high school graduations and reported that Board Members Kara Gurl and Max Neuman will be attending college in the City so they will be continuing their service on the board, and that Board Member Akash Mehta will be attending college out of town which will prevent him from serving past tonight. We all wish them well in college, the next step in their academic careers.
Mr. Lonial next thanked our Education Committee Chair Suzanne Turet and District Manager Craig Hammerman for recently representing us at a meeting with School Construction Authority President Lorraine Grillo called by State Senator Velmanette Montgomery to discuss the possibility of constructing a new middle school – the Harbor Middle School – somewhere in Community School District 15, which would be in either CB6 or CB7. At this meeting the SCA President commended Senator Montgomery for lining up everything necessary for such a project to proceed – there is a preliminary budget in place, the Harbor School High School at Governor’s Island has a plan for a middle school that would be a feeder into their high school, there is strong support within the leadership of both the Red Hook and Sunset Park waterfront areas including the elected officials and many leading non-profit organizations, and a good number of potential sites have already been suggested for consideration. The SCA President reported that they will begin the process of evaluating the sites and will have more to report back to the Senator in the next few months.
The Chairperson also reminded the board that in June we solicit committee membership requests for the upcoming year’s 2016-17 committee session which begins September 1st. In the next few days the district office will forward an application to you which will be used when making appointments over the summer. At the last few Executive Committee meetings we tossed around some ideas for potentially changing the existing structure, and at the meeting Monday night we ratified one change. Beginning this fall, our Permits & Licenses Committee will stand alone, and we will be combining our Environmental Protection Committee with our Parks/Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee. This change will be reflected in the new 2016-17 application that will be forwarded by the district office. Please make sure you complete the application in a timely manner 2
if you would like me to consider what your preferences for committee assignments are. Without hearing from you, the Chair will not be able to take personal preferences into consideration. Appointment letters with committee assignments traditionally go out mid-August.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Craig Hammerman reported that the district office was working on revamping the Community Board’s website as we will be switching over from a private hosting service to the City’s. The City’s site affords the Community Boards much more flexibility than it has in the past making it more attractive now than previously. It also hosts the Community Board websites for free and includes technical support and training for staff. The initial phase will mostly be the transition from one host to another so while it may seem a bit sparse at first we do have every intention of building out into a more robust website over time. He ended his report by wishing everyone a safe and relaxing summer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE………………………………………..…………….SAYAR LONIAL, CHAIR
Chairperson Lonial reported that also at our Executive Committee meeting on Monday night we had a presentation from the Department of Environmental Protection on the City’s siting process with regard to the 2 retention tanks that are required to be built as part of the remedy for the Gowanus Canal Superfund project. The City walked us through its considerations and answered many questions. Much of this information was already out in the media and discussed by the Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group. Nonetheless, given the potential impact that the tank construction could have on an active Gowanus-based business, Eastern Effects, the local movie studio, several members felt compelled to comment to the EPA on the potential disruption/displacement that the City has reported it may pursue. Even though the comment period technically closed, the EPA is still in the process of compiling and reviewing comments received and will read any statements we submit.
Motion: By Board Member Robert Levine, seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly; Board Community Board 6 is committed to the environmental remediation of the Gowanus Canal area and the installation of retention tanks to prevent the recontamination of a remediated Gowanus Canal. However, at the same time we are deeply concerned about the dislocation and job loss that could occur in the event that the City of New York takes by way of eminent domain or otherwise a certain parcel of property at 270 Nevins Street for use as a staging area for the installation of a retention tank at the head end of the Gowanus Canal. It is our understanding that there are alternative locations of approximately equal size that are likely available at similar cost for such a purpose and that such sites do not have active businesses that employ such a significant number of individuals in living wage jobs. We, therefore, request that the Department of Environmental Protection reexamine its criteria and process for the selection of a staging area and present its findings together with the underlying rationales for any site selection prior to moving forward with the seizure or purchase of a selected site.
Board Member Joe Ann Brown asked if the property would be taken by eminent domain. The Chair responded that is a possibility and one which requires a written explanation of their rationale.
Board Member Steve Tarpin asked if we knew the specifics on how many jobs and whether the City would assist with relocation. Chairperson Lonial responded that the business has already made substantial investment in the site and the City’s full plan is not completely fleshed out yet.
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Board Member Joanna Oltman-Smith asked if a full street closure analysis and traffic study has been performed. Chairperson Lonial said we have not seen a traffic analysis. In fact, we have not seen any studies from the City.
Board Member Debra Scotto spoke in favor of the motion and suggested we should be even more vigilant about getting them to clean up all of the site that are known to be leaching contaminants into the canal.
Board Member Paul Basile asked if we could get a cost analysis for the City’s approach. Chairperson Lonial responded that cost is important but not the only factor that needs to be considered.
Board Member Jerry Armer spoke in favor of the motion and reiterated the point that we need more information from the City, State and Feds because we do not put our trust blindly in any of them.
Board Member Mark Shames stated that nothing will be done for 2-4 years which gives us all time to make a good decision together.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:19 P.M.
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 72 Bowne Street.
Motion: By Board Member Peter Fleming; seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly Conditionally approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Freedom Cruise LLC, at 72 Bowne Street,(between Van Brunt/Imlay Streets).
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:25 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license at 212 Flatbush Avenue.
Motion: By Board Member Jerry Armer; seconded by Board Member Peter Fleming Approval a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Mokbar II LLC at 212 Faltbush Avenue,(between Dean/Bergen Streets).
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:27 P.M.
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LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTEE…………………ROBERT LEVINE, CHAIR, LANDMARKS
………………...……PETER FLEMING, CHAIR, LAND USE
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Miscellaneous Amendment to a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 288 Carroll Street.
Motion: Motion to approve a Miscellaneous Amendment to a Certificate of Appropriateness permit issued by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the expansion of a rooftop addition at 288 Carroll Street (between Smith/Hoyt Streets), Carroll Gardens Historic District.
Board Member Daniel Kummer stated his displeasure with the continuing problem of property owners who acquire properties in designated historic districts who then seek to alter them. When you acquire a property you become the owner of that property, but with regard to the landmark designation you are not an owner you are a steward.
VOTE: 24 YEAS, 7 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:42 P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 97 Park Place.
Motion: Motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for restoration of front areaway including relocation of existing steps, new bluestone paving, brownstone curb and flower bed at 97 Park Place (between 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.
Chairperson Lonial asked if the changes for this property were similar to other changes on other nearby properties, to which Committee Chair Levine responded affirmatively.
Board Member Joanna Oltman-Smith commented that the additional stair present an awkward layout.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:47 P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application at 99 Sterling Place.
Motion: Motion to disapprove a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the rooftop installation of an elevated canopy solar energy system at 99 Sterling Place (between 6th/7th Avenues), Park Slope Historic District.
Committee Chair Levine reported this property was not originally in the Park Slope Historic District but made it in under the last expansion. He also reported that the committee felt strongly that there were far lesser impactful options that could have been considered for the solar system.
Board Member Glenn Kelly cautioned that the solar systems have the potential to obliterate the historic character of our designated districts.
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Board Member Hildegaard Link suggested that we put together our own specifications for solar systems to provide more guidance to property owners and installers.
Board Member Roger Rigolli thought it was unfair that Landmarks referred this to us since the property owner began the process prior to the expansion of the Park Slope Historic District.
Board Member Joe Ann Brown asked if there were less impactful options, like moving the solar system from a canopy to a rack-mounted roof system. Committee Chair Levine responded that they would lose significant square footage by doing so as they need to leave perpendicular lanes available on the rooftop per Fire Department regulations.
Board Member Peter Fleming reiterated the point that we should really be pressing Landmarks Preservation Commission to develop the kind of guidelines or specifications that were suggested earlier.
VOTE: 21 YEAS, 10 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:06 P.M.
Landmarks Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee also discussed a procedural change they would like the Landmarks Preservation Commission to implement.
Motion: Motion to request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission require that applicants have mock-ups in place for changes in building heights prior to their appearances at the Community Board for review.
VOTE: 30 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 2 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:09 P.M.
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS………………………...………GLENN KELLY, CHAIR
Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs Chair Glenn Kelly reported that the committee reviewed and considered plans for the Renovation of Red Hook Ballfields 5-8.
Motion: Motion to approve the Department of Parks and Recreation’s proposal for the Renovation of Red Hook Ballfields 5-8, bordered by Lorraine, Hicks, Henry and Bay Streets.
Board Member Judith Thompson suggested that the City use plants for the natural removal of lead. Committee Chair Kelly responded that it would take years and that there are other contaminants in the soil beside lead so the City will be removing and replacing the top layer of soil entirely.
Board Member Jerry Armer asked for a cost. Committee Chair Kelly said all of the Red Hook Ballfields will cumulatively cost $106 million and that this is fully-funded.
Board Member Pauline Blake asked for a timeframe. Committee Chair Kelly responded that these ballfield (5- 8) will be done by 2018, all of them will be done by 2022.
Board Member Joe Ann Brown asked where the contaminated soil was going. Committee Chair Kelly responded that this project is being done under Federal Environmental Protect Agency supervision who will
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oversee the project and have the responsibility to make sure any contaminated material that leaves the site will be properly disposed of.
VOTE: 32 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:23 P.M.
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY……………TOM MISKEL, CO-CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION
……….ERIC McCLURE, CO-CHAIR, TRANSPORTATION
………MATTHEW SILVERMAN, CHAIR, PUBLIC SAFETY
Transportation Committee Co-Chair Eric McClure reported that the committee reviewed the Department of Transportation’s revised plans to install CitiBike, the City’s bike share program, in our district.
Motion: Motion to approve the Department of Transportation's plans to roll-out CitiBike, the City's bike share program, to the district.
Board Members Paul Basile and Debra Buscarello both made the point that bicycles and trucks to not mix well so the City should avoid putting bicycle facilities along truck routes and by manufacturing businesses.
Board Member Suzanne Turet asked how many parking spaces will be lost to the CitiBike program in our district calling the program “an assault on parking.” Committee Chair McClure roughly calculated approximately 100 spaces overall.
Board Member Joanna Oltman-Smith spoke in favor of the motion saying trucks make deliveries everywhere, she doesn’t see why 3rd Avenue should be an exception to the program, and commended the Department of Transportation (DOT) for building out the CitiBike program making it more robust.
Board Members Roger Rigolli and Joe Ann Brown both made the point that there seems to be a lack of enforcement regarding bicyclists.
Board Member Pauline Blake asked why more docking stations couldn’t be placed on sidewalks. Committee Chair McClure responded that roughly one-third of the 73 locations in our district will be on sidewalks, and that was the preference, but that our sidewalks generally were not wide enough to meet their siting specifications.
Chairperson Lonial underscored that this has been such a significant public process that has taken place over the last couple of years to get to this point. He commended DOT for engaging.
Board Member Daniel Kummer proposed an amendment to the motion.
Amendment: That we reserve the right to revisit specific issues for individual locations before or after the roll- out of the program in our district.
Committee Co-Chair McClure spoke against the amendment claiming that deciding to remove docking stations before there were problems did not make sense. All of the 73 station locations meet the DOT criteria and based on their experiences with the program that is already in place throughout Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn there is no reason to suspect that there will be problems with the proposed locations.
Board Member Richard Bashner suggested that maybe, as we have done with other projects affecting our district, we should consider asking DOT to come back in a year after the program has begun to see if there are any problems. 7
Board Member Paul Basile spoke in favor of the amendment saying that trucking access becomes restrictive once bike facilities are installed.
Board Member Josh Skaller spoke against the amendment saying he trusts that the committee did their homework on this issue and it should not be the board’s job to undo the work they have done.
Board Member Rob Underwood spoke in favor of the amendment saying it was a clever way for us to preserve our right to comment in and advise and consent capacity.
VOTE: 20 YEAS, 12 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
AMENDMENT PASSED
TIME: 9:04 P.M.
Board Member Max Neuman commented that the amendment should make it easier now for the board to have consensus on the plan.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 1 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 9:06 P.M.
Committee Co-Chair McClure reported that the committee also reviewed the Department of Transportation’s proposal to upgrade the existing Bond Street bike lane.
Motion: Motion to approve the Department of Transportation’s proposal to upgrade the existing Bond Street bike lane between Douglass and 3rd Streets in the district.
Board Member Paul Basile asked how many businesses curb cuts were impacted by the proposal. Committee Co-Chair McClure said we can ask DOT.
Board Member Joe Ann Brown asked if there was any way to effectively separate bicycles and trucks.
Board Member Paul Basile said this kind of treatment increases liability for businesses that use the space in front of their building for loading and unloading.
Board Member Suzanne Turet stated that bicyclists need to make things safer for pedestrians, not more hazardous.
VOTE: 22 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONs
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 9:26 P.M.
Chairperson Lonial recognized the representatives of elected and public officials who were in attendance.
Jeff Lowell, representing Borough President Adams, announced upcoming events being sponsored by Borough Hall. Among them is a solarize event which will be open to all Brooklynites modeled after the enthusiasm already illustrated in Brooklyn CB6.
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Juan Ardila, representing Council Member Lander, reported that a settlement regarding the Prospect Park Residence was near and that the Council Member is not pleased with NYC Transit’s announcement of F Express service as it would adversely affect subway service access in our district unfairly.
Jim Harvey, representing Assemblywoman Simon, announced upcoming events.
Raul Rothblatt, representing State Senator Hamilton, announced upcoming events.
Shelley Wu, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron, reported that the Senator was going on record yet again against the construction of luxury housing at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Dan Wiley, representing Congresswoman Velázquez, reported various initiatives and legislation the Congresswoman was working on regarding fair housing.
Gabriel Lewenstein, representing Public Advocate Letitia James, announced upcoming event.
COMMUNITY SESSION
Michael Fratangelo requested the board’s support for getting the CitiBike docking station at 3 rd Avenue and Carroll Street moved.
Kathryn Sennis spoke in favor of CitiBike but was upset that the neighbors didn’t know it was coming.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Glenn Kelly announced upcoming performances of “The Tempest” at Carroll Park and encouraged everyone to attend.
Motion: by Board Member Roger Rigolli; seconded by Board Member Jerry Armer; To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 0 NAY, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 9:45P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by District Manager Craig Hammerman on September 1, 2016.
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