BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
COBBLE HILL HEALTH CENTER
380 HENRY STREET
APRIL 12, 2017
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
J. ARMER R. BASHNER P. BASILE
P. BELLEN BAUM P. BLAKE F. BROWN
J. BROWN D. BUSCARELLO S. CIALEK
P. FLEMING V. HERAMIA J. HEYER
F. JEAN G. KELLY A. KRASNOW
D. KUMMER R. LEVINE P. LI
H. LINK S. LONIAL R. LUFTGLASS
E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL C. PIGOTT
L. PINN M. RACIOPPO R. RIGOLLI
E. SANTOGADE D. SCOTTO M. SHAMES
M. SILVERMAN J. SKALLER S. TARPIN
J. THOMPSON S. TURET D. WILLIAMS
EXCUSED
V. HAGMAN J. SMITH R. UNDERWOOD
ABSENT:
D. BUSCARELLO E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ E. FELDER
K.GURL M. NEUMAN
GUESTS:
HON. ROBERT CARROLL, ASSEMBLY MEMBER
J. LOWELL, BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE
C. ZINNEL, COUNCIL MEMBER LANDER’S REPRESENTATIVE
J. HARVEY, ASSEMBLY MEMBER SIMON’S REPRESETNATIVE
R. YOUNG, STATE SENATOR SQUADRON’S REPRESENTATIVE
D. WILEY, CONGRESSWOMAN VELÁZQUEZ’S REPRENTATIVE
G. LEWENSTEIN, PUBLIC ADVOCATE JAMES’ REPRESENTATIVE
M. LAMBERT, COMPTROLLER STRINGER’S 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 Roger Rigolli made a motion to accept the minutes of the March general meeting, seconded by Board Member Glenn Kelly.
VOTE: 25 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 6:43 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT………………………………………….………………….....SAYAR LONIAL
Chairperson Lonial opened his report by offering some procedural reminders: only board members are allowed to comment and vote on any matters before the board unless an individual is specifically called upon. He also asked that as a policy moving forward, all board members sit in the first few rows when possible.
Mr. Lonial offered his personal support of the Transportation Committee’s Link NYC resolution that is up for consideration later in the meeting, noting that, while there is still work to be done, the Link NYC program will be a step toward diminishing lack of digital access to parts of the district.
The Chair thanked Council Member Lander, Assembly Member Simon, Senator Squadron, Congresswoman Velazquez, and Comptroller Stringer for all co-signing a letter sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission regarding the board’s recent vote to oppose an application for 113 Congress Street in Cobble Hill.
Mr. Lonial thanked CB6 Transportation Committee Co-Chairs Eric McClure and Tom Miskel as well as Environmental Protection Committee Chair Mark Shames and District Manager Craig Hammerman for attending a stakeholders meeting at Borough Hall to discuss the next phase of the planning for the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.
The Chairperson updated the board that the formerly laid over Transportation Committee issue pertaining to the bike corral at 341 5th Avenue (from October 2016) was back before the board tonight having met all of the stipulated requirements for letters of support and public buy-in.
Mr. Lonial closed his report by wishing all in attendance a Happy Passover and an early Happy Easter.
DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT………………………………………….…….CRAIG HAMMERMAN
District Manager Hammerman offered a short report, updating attendees on the upcoming Formula E electric car racing event to be held at the Red Hook Cruise Ship Terminal in July. Mr. Hammerman reported that Formula E is expecting crowds of 15-20,000 attendees each day. The District Manager stated that the promoters of the event are working to provide a number of transportation options to access the Cruise Ship Terminal and all public correspondence relative to the event is highlighting that there will be no parking provided at the venue. Additionally, the event will result in some permanent improvements to the Cruise Ship Terminal, including new landscaping and signage at the entrance and roadway repaving. The promoters have already reached out to both the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Red Hook Initiative, and will be working with NYC schools to offer access to the cars and drivers before the event.
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Mr. Hammerman reported that the district office got perfect marks at the Comptroller’s Community Board Audit Exit Conference at the end of March. The audit was an inventory of office equipment, and Mr. Hammerman noted that CB6 was one of only five Brooklyn Community Boards found to be in compliance. The next audit is likely to occur in roughly four years.
Mr. Hammerman closed his remarks by updating the board on his previous correspondence with the Governor regarding a request for the restoration of a two-way toll on the Verazzano Bridge. The District Manager reported that Congressman Donovan has requested a study of the matter, similar to ours, and that Staten Island Community Boards 1 and 2 are lining up to support the request. Mr. Hammerman reported that the MTA Bridges and Tunnels division will be conducting a study to consider the proposal.
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 a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 55 7th Avenue.
Motion: Conditionally approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a rooftop addition at 55 7th Avenue Park Slope Historic District.
Conversation ensued as to the appropriateness of the approval relative to the Landmarks Committee’s lack of clarity both of the premise of approving such an application and within the motion itself.
VOTE: 13 YEAS, 17 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION FAILED
TIME: 7:04 P.M.
Needing a disposition to present to the Landmarks Preservation Commission so as not to appear without comment, Board Chair Sayar Lonial petitioned a motion to disapprove the application in question.
Motion: By Board Member Jerry Armer; seconded by Board Member Dolly Williams To disapprove the Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a rooftop addition at 55 7th Avenue, Park Slope Historic District.
VOTE: 22 YEAS, 7 NAYS, 4 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:09 P.M.
Landmarks Committee Chair Robert Levine reported that the committee reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 431 6th Avenue.
Motion: By Board Member Glenn Kelly; seconded by Board Member Paul Basile
Conditional approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission on behalf of the Brooklyn Public Library for new exterior signage at the Park Slope Branch Library at 431 6th Avenue (Individual Landmark).
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VOTE: 30 YEAS, 2 NAYS, 1 ABSTENTION
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:20 P.M.
Land Use Committee Chair Peter Fleming reported that the committee reviewed an application for a physical culture establishment at 550 5th Avenue.
Motion: Approval an application submitted to the Board of Standards and Appeals on behalf of GTO Holding LLC for a variance to legalize a physical culture establishment operated as Harbor Fitness Park Slope within an existing mixed use building located within R6B and C4-3A zoning districts at 550 5th Avenue (Block 1041, Lot 7501), northwest corner of 15th Street and 5th Avenue.
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:40 P.M.
PERMITS & LICENSES COMMITTEE……………………………………….MIKE RACIOPPO, CHAIR
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed a new on-premises liquor license for 412 Court Street.
Motion: Conditionally approve a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Sheila’s at 412 Court Street (between 1st/2nd Place).
VOTE: 33 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 7:42 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed an alteration for an on-premises as well as a sidewalk café application for 138 5th Avenue.
Motion: Approval of (i) an alteration to a current on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Wepa La Arepa LLC at 138 5th Avenue (between Sterling/Saint John’s Place), and (ii) to approve an unenclosed sidewalk café permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Wepa La Arepa LLC at 138 5th Avenue (between Sterling/St. Johns Place) to permit 4 tables and 8 seats.
VOTE: 27 YEAS, 6 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:51 P.M.
Permits & Licenses Committee Chair Mike Racioppo reported that the committee reviewed an alteration to an on-premises liquor license as well as a sidewalk café application for 148 5th Avenue.
Motion: Approval of (i) an alteration to a current on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Wild Living LLC at 148 5th Avenue (between Douglass/Degraw Streets), and (ii) to approve an unenclosed sidewalk café permit application 4
submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Wild Living LLC at 148 5th Avenue (between Douglass/Degraw Streets) to permit 12 tables and 24 seats.
VOTE: 29 YEAS, 4 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:53 P.M.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE…………………………………………..TOM MISKEL, CO-CHAIR
………………………..ERIC MCCLURE, CO-CHAIR
Transportation Committee Chair Eric McClure reported that the committee reviewed a bike corral at 341 5th Avenue.
Motion: Approval of a proposal by the Department of Transportation for a new bike corral to be located at 341 5th Avenue (between 4th/5th Streets) previously tabled on 10/13/16.
VOTE: 26 YEAS, 6 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 7:56 P.M.
Transportation Committee Chair Eric McClure reported that the committee reviewed a proposal to expand LinkNYC into Brooklyn Community Board 6.
Motion: To support the expansion of LinkNYC in our district.
VOTE: 27 YEAS, 1 NAY, 4 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED
TIME: 8:04 P.M.
Chairperson Lonial recognized representatives of elected officials who were in attendance.
Jeff Lowell, representing Borough President Eric Adams, announced that board membership application letters should be sent out soon. He directed attendees to the Borough President’s newsletter for further updates.
Catherine Zinnel, representing Council Member Brad Lander, updated attendees on the Key Food site development at 120 5th Avenue, focusing on the 22,000 square foot supermarket that will be on site. Ms. Zinnel also directed attendees to plangowanus.com for updates relative to the on-going Gowanus zoning conversations.
Robbie Young, representing State Senator Squadron, also offered updates on the state budget and the Senator’s perspective on some budget line items. He directed attendees to the Senator’s newsletter for more information.
Gabriel Lewenstein, representing Public Advocate Letitia James, reported on the Public Advocate’s legislation regarding employee pay history.
Dan Wiley, representing Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, updated attendees on her April 17th town hall meeting at St. Francis College at 6 pm.
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COMMUNITY SESSION
Karen Ash on Bike NYC offered updates on the upcoming Five Boro Bike Tour.
Ann McNamara spoke on traffic issues at 8th Avenue and Union Street and the general vicinity.
Steve Ettlinger thanked the board and, in particular, the Permits and Licenses Committee for all the work it has done to mitigate the impact of the bars along Flatbush Avenue. Mr. Ettlinger remarked that issues have come up again and asked the board to do what it can, once again, to mitigate the issues with the spring and summer approaching.
NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Jerry Armer made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: by Board Member Jerry Armer; seconded by Board Member Pauline Blake. To adjourn the meeting.
VOTE: 31 YEAS, 0 NAYS, 0 ABSTENTIONS
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
TIME: 8:15 P.M.
Minutes submitted into the District Office by Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty on April 28, 2017.
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