Brooklyn Community Board 6 Full Board Meeting – March 11, 2026
I. Adoption of Minutes The meeting was called to order at 6:43 p.m. upon confirmation of quorum. Minutes from the February 11, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. It was noted that Peter Fleming’s name was missing from the minutes.
II. Chairperson’s Report Chairperson Eric McClure was not present at the meeting. 1st Vice Chair David Briggs led the meeting in his absence.
III. District Manager’s Report District Manager Mike Racioppo announced the following upcoming meetings: ● Human Services, Sustainability – Tuesday, March 17th, 6:30 pm @ Principles GI Coffee House ● Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure – Wednesday, March 18th, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street ● Business Affairs & Licenses – Monday, March 23rd, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street ● Land Use, Landmarks & Housing – Thursday, March 26th, 6:30 pm @ 250 Baltic Street ● Full Board – Wednesday, April 8th, 6:30 pm @ Van Alen Institute
Mike presented an analysis of the 14,000 lots within Community District 6 and announced that this information is now available on the CB6 website. Mike also explained that the CB6 Land Use Guide (available on the website) now includes a glossary of land use terminology. Finally, Mike presented an analysis of 311 complaints in the district focused on February 2026. During this time period the top complaint category was “illegal parking” (with 31.8% of approximately 4,000 complaints). A six-year trend report is now available on the website.
IV. Committee Reports
A. Landmarks, Land Use & Housing
152 Atlantic Avenue David Briggs presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a rooftop addition. A motion to approve the application with the condition that the railing facing Atlantic Avenue be set back an additional two feet was approved by the committee with two abstentions. The committee had a quorum, so no floor motion was required. The motion was approved by the board, with Daniel Kummer and David Briggs abstaining.
175 3rd Street David Briggs presented a motion to approve the certification to transfer development rights at 175 3rd Street. He explained that this project involves 971 units permitted as-of-right. Additionally, Charney Companies and Tavros plans to acquire zoning floor area (ZFA) from the neighboring Powerhouse Arts, which would enable construction of 100 additional units. This transfer of floor area from a landmarked building is allowed under the City of Yes zoning changes and the request before the Community Board concerns modifications to building bulk. Under City of Yes changes, this application will go directly to the City Planning Commission
(CPC), bypassing the local council member and Borough President, with a CPC hearing scheduled for March 17.
David explained that the developer did not clearly indicate the difference between the as-of-right envelope and the requested modifications, but noted that one of the two proposed towers would exceed the zoning envelope. The project includes a waterfront park as required under Waterfront Access Guidelines. The proposal also includes widening “2nd Street” (an unmapped street between the building and Powerhouse Arts). No parking is included in the proposal, which is permissible under City of Yes rules.
The committee has made three requests to the developer: 1) 100% affordability for new units, 2) inclusion of public bathrooms, and 3) negotiation with Powerhouse Arts to improve promenade access along the Gowanus Canal. David noted that the developer is paying Powerhouse Arts approximately $15-20 million for the ZFA, which he argued should allow funds for Powerhouse Arts to build a public promenade. He also argued that a change in use designation would allow Powerhouse Arts to benefit from city indemnification for the promenade, which should make the effort feasible. After six months of discussions initiated by the committee, the developer has not acted on these requests and has not engaged Powerhouse Arts in discussions of promenade accessibility or improvements.
During the committee discussion, members opposed rejecting a project that would include 230 affordable units. As a result, the committee moved to approve the certification to transfer development rights and bulk modification, with the conditions that 1) the Powerhouse Arts promenade be opened to the public as a direct result of the ZFA and 2) 30% of the 1,071 units meet affordability requirements, averaging at 60% AMI (under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Option 1). The committee approved the motion unanimously, with a quorum present and one abstention.
During the full board discussion, Mandi Spishak-Thomas asked what the impact of a no vote would be, and Pauline Blake asked whether the motion would slow the project to allow more time for discussion. While project approvals are expedited under City of Yes, CB6 will submit their resolution and can argue their case before the CPC vote. Catherine Vaughan expressed support for this approach to avoid standing in the way of housing development. She argued that the board could include an addendum to the resolution showing the developer the value of investing in the promenade. Daniel Kummer confirmed that these points can be communicated in the letter to the agency characterizing our vote.
The full board vote approved the motion with Karyn Broughton, Mandi Spishak-Thomas, and Reema Sharma voting no and Pauline Blake and Tiffany Reid abstaining.
B. Business Affairs & Licenses
47 5th Avenue (former site of “That Bar”) Mandi Spishak-Thomas presented this liquor license application establishment for a new women’s sports-themed bar at 47 5th Avenue with no outdoor space proposed. The motion was approved unanimously in committee with quorum. The motion was passed by the full board with no abstentions.
C. Transportation, Parks & Public Infrastructure
Resolution to Introduce a District-Wide 20 MPH Slow Zone
Tony Melone presented the following resolution:
Recognizing CB6’s commitment to safer streets and support for Sammy’s Law, we recommend that NYC DOT institute a district-wide 20 MPH slow zone on all applicable streets, and adjust signal timing to reflect the new limit, with camera enforcement.
We also call for adoption of a citywide speed limit of 20mph on all applicable streets.
Tony explained that Safe Streets and Make McGuinness Safe presented at the last committee meeting. He explained that the district-wide speed limit would apply only to streets with no more than two lanes in one direction, and that similar motions have been passed by Brooklyn Community Board 1 and Queens Community Board 2. The committee passed the resolution unanimously with one abstention for cause. Marc Torrence noted that while the reduction from 25 MPH to 20 MPH seems small, it significantly improves survivability in crashes. Tony noted that enforcement typically begins 10 MPH over the limit, meaning tickets would start at 30 MPH. The resolution passed unanimously, with Pauline Blake abstaining. Tony also highlighted that the CB6 website now has a traffic safety request form for specific improvements. He explained that the the next committee meeting include a discussion with NYCDOT on unsafe driving on Columbia Street, reopening the Carroll Street Bridge, daylighting initiatives, slow zones, and a northbound bike route to complement the Court Street bike lane
V. New / Other Business Daniel Kummer noted that the Atlantic Yards redevelopment public engagement process will hold its fourth and final workshop on March 19th, including a report on the process and a presentation from the new development team. Scott Middleton noted that Prospect Park Alliance invited CB6 representatives to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vale restoration on March 16th.
VI. Updates from Elected Officials and their Representatives: ● Dan Abramson (Office of Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso) thanked those who participated in CB interviews and noted that CB6 had 75 new applicants this year, plus reapplicants. He encouraged those not selected to serve on the board remain engaged. ● Sean Gurl (Office of Assemblymember Carroll) noted that the State Assembly passed its one-house budget, which included an increase in library construction funding from $34M to $71M statewide, as well as a proposed $200M to assist the New York Power Authority in meeting Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals. ● Talia Hoch (Office Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon) also presented a one-house budget update, noting that it includes $4M student loan forgiveness program for public interest lawyers and Foundation Aid reforms to better account for students in the shelter system and non-English speakers. She noted that representatives of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings were available through her office to discuss outstanding tickets and violations. ● Maia Yedin (Office of Senator Andrew Gounardes) noted upcoming services from the Senator’s office, including tax preparation assistance, an unclaimed funds event (March 25th at the Gowanus office), a visit from the OMNY van on March 30th, and a document shredding & e-recycling event on May 9th in the Bay Ridge office. ● Krista Reilly (Office of Senator Zellnor Myrie) invited constituents to an all-girls basketball clinic on March 21st hosted with Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.
● Melanie Kruvelis (Office of Councilember Avilés) informed the board about a NYC Know Your Rights Act heard in committee Monday that require city agencies to post sanctuary policies publicly. She also noted upcoming budget hearings on sanitation, economic Development, environmental protection and waterfronts, and parks. ● Paul Leguerre (Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez) noted an event on March 23rd at Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch highlighting women in sustainable fashion. ● Jacqueline Nieschmidt (Office of Councilmember Hanif) highlighted a hearing with DOT pushing for pedestrian signals and daylighting and celebrated the installation of a new traffic signal installed at Smith & Douglass.
VII. Community Session
Edward Stratton: Spoke about the Court Street bike lane, criticizing its implementation, objected to the term “traffic violence,” referenced Doug Gordon’s book “Life After Cars”, and noted he was planning a meeting with Mike to discuss safety issues on Court Street.
Thomas: Requested that the Transportation Committee raise injuries on 8th Avenue with DOT and noted lack of bike lanes and Citi Bike stations along that corridor.