BKCB6
Full Board Meeting 06/12 12 June 2024/ 6:30 PM / NY-Presbyterian-BK Methodist Auditorium + Zoom
ATTENDEES
In Person
Mark Shames
Pauline Blake
Ed Sawyer
Peter Fleming
Tom Trocco
David Briggs
Bob Levine
Anna Hippee
Alec Schierenbeck
Nick Molinari
Laura Osoiro
Eric McClure
Karen Broughton
Doug
Scott
Katherine
Brandon West
Daniel Kumer
Kara Gurl
Erika Cohen
Via Zoom
Jerry Armor
Mandi
Angelica
Tiffany
Evan Farley
AGENDA
I. Adoption of Minutes
A. BOb and __?
II. Chair Report
1. Dismay over congestion pricing pullout
a. CB6 previously endorsed Move Now
b. Lander questions legality of Hochul’s move
c. Motion to the board to reaffirm our commitment
i. Tom made motion to approve, Bob seconded
ii. Doug: got involved in PPW bike lane, Hochul’s move based on congressional polling undermines our process and all levers of government between us and the executive office
iii. Passed X votes in favor, 1 against, 1 abstention
III. DM Report
- Hiring of Rebecca Kobert for land use coordinator
- NY Presbyterian-BK Methodist: Loren presentation– 249 7th Ave, adding art in vacant storefront (as well as 4 locations in Bed-Stuy) - COmmunity Fund for CBOs on social determinants of health for 2 year grant programs, letter of intent due June 23rd - Baby bus for free prenatal care - Land Swap task force: unclear what will happen but we have requested to be part of the process as one of the few entities (besides Gounardes and Goldman) with the entirety of the land in our district
IV. Committee Meetings
A. Permits and Licenses a. Motions to approve liquor licenses for: i. 205 8th Street- between 3rd & 4th Ave.
1. Motion from Jules, seconded by Pete
2. Vote to approve as presented: unanimous ii. 288 3rd Avenue- between President & Carroll St.
1. Pauline asked how many seats and what hours: 11am-11pm, 40 seats
2. Formerly Littleneck, wheelchair accessible? Jules says yes
3. Passed unanimously B. Landmarks/Land Use a. 345 Hoyt Street— Motionto approve an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (C of A) to rebuild the wall facing the street, add new doors to the garage, build a roof deck on top of the garage, and alter the side and front facades.
i. Tony question on carriage houses adding housing? Not in our committee
ii. All in favor, 1 abstention for cause b. 839 President Street—Motion to disapprove an application for a C of A to allow for the construction of a penthouse
i. Question of why it was disapproved, Daniel explained his disapproval by virtue of the precedents predating the designation of this block as a landmark block, it was out of
context and opposed by neighbors, not in good landmarking stewardship
1. David stated disagreement with Daniel
2. Alec: disagree with Daniel, wants on the record that this is a 4-family becoming a single family, this is especially an issue in historic districts. This is not a social justice issue, these are wealthy people building a penthouse on a multimillion dollar house so this isn’t one hill to die on, but this is still an overreach
3. Mark: agree with Daniel on this but he opposes on the principle of reducing housing stock, knows it’s not directly related to landmarking but he is supporting to disapprove on those grounds
4. Katherine wanted to point that the private views from private rooftops by neighborhoods not being relevant to public interest, wants to bring that back up, you can buy neighbors’ air rights if it’s really your individual issue
5. Motion to disapprove fails: 15 yea, 17 nay, 1 abstention
6. Katie motion to approve, Dillon seconded
a. Mark puts forward “unfriendly amendment” that this is only approved for a family of 30 people
b. Motion passes 17 yea, 10 nay, 4 abstentions c. City Of Yes (Housing) Motion to approve text zoning amendment.
i. EIS has been done ahead of text amendment
ii. How does COY apply to heavily landmarked districts? COY applies but goes through LPC process
iii. Landmark TDR- Transfer of Development Rights
iv.
d. Homes Now- Motion to support City Council budgeting a $2.5 billion capital investment at the City level over the next five years into two existing HPD programs — Open Door and Neighborhood Pillars — to fund the construction and preservation of affordable housing within NYC.
i. Christina from CM Avlies here on Zoom to supplement David’s recap, this is real financial capital that allows us to capitalize on COY housing
ii. Passed unanimously with 4 abstentions, 1 for cause
V. NEW/OTHER BUSINESS
Electeds:
- Sen Gounardes- Faith Based Housing (nee Yes in God’s Backyard), shipping, child labor, etc in the senate, shocked on congestion pricing reversal causing $15billion gap in MTA budget and proposal to tax city worker payroll is unacceptable, we need a real dedicated funding source, congestion pricing went through exhaustive study and political process, congestion pricing is the best idea we have; task force in the works - Jo Ann Simon: congestion pricing, something will have to be done to shore up the MTA if Hochul doesn’t reverse her decision - Bill passed to hold gun manufacturers accountable if their guns can be easily transformed into automatic - Cristina OBO CM Aviles: community benefits for SCMT jobs, Intro 6 on Fire Safety, truck route picture circulating is EXISTING route and NOT the new design, community sessions through July to weigh in on new design - Britt from BBP: community board swearing in ceremony - Camille obo Senator Myrie: resource fair July 27th, annual back to school block party August 24th; June 24-July 5 is full office end of session break - Mayra OBO Rep. Goldman: mobile food pantry grant for CHiPS, gun violence prevention, marijuana opportunity - Bryan Gross obo CM Hanif- open streets
VI. Community Session
- Tara from EDC: modern maritime hub on Columbia Waterfront/Red Hook - Elizabeth and Tamisha: Demiya Dialysis closing DTBK location - David Kupferberg: VP of Bus Advocacy as Passengers United, wants to improve connection (bus mostly) from Red Hook to Manhattan, supporting
B71
- Fiona from 3rd St wants cameras down the street by shelters, complaining Mike has not responded - Donna: car/pedestrian, told committee meetings are better place for community input - Celeste re: superfund: public comment period closes on Friday, wants as many of us as feel so moved to submit a comment, points to lack of air study and groundwater study in its scope
NOTES
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ACTION ITEMS
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