BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
FULL BOARD MEETING
September 9, 2026
I. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:41 p.m. upon confirmation of quorum. Minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
II. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
Chairperson Eric McClure thanked the Van Alen Institute for hosting our meetings. He welcomed newly appointed board members to the first meeting of the year and thanked outgoing members for their service. He noted that Mike would be sharing committee assignments with new members soon and reminded everyone that all members serve on at least one committee. Eric noted that NYCDOT is taking feedback on the Bergen & Dean Bike Boulevard project at nycdotprojects.info/project/dean-bergen-bike-boulevard-project, that no design proposal is available yet, and that no public meetings have been scheduled at this time.
III. DISTRICT MANAGER'S REPORT
District Manager Mike Racioppo encouraged community members to vote on November 3rd and directed people to bkcb6.app/november2026 for more information on the election. Mike shared other features of the CB6 app, including rent analysis (bkcb6.app/rents) and land use analysis (bkcb6.app/useofland). Mike noted that Mayor Mamdani's Land Inventory Fast Track Tracker includes two sites in CB6: Gowanus Green and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal. Mike is also advocating for the construction of housing at 250 Baltic Street, a mostly empty city-owned building that is also home to the CB6 office.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. LANDMARKS, LAND USE & HOUSING
226 Kane Street
David Briggs presented a motion to approve with conditions an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness at the Kane Street Synagogue for a rooftop enclosure of mechanical equipment, modification of the sanctuary window, and new courtyard lighting. Mandi asked if the board could also request that the applicant make sidewalk repairs as part of the project. Eric explained that the sidewalk condition is not within the board's purview, but that we could reach out to the applicant to make this request. Donna McGill from the Cobble Hill Association asked about the updated lighting and whether the light might spill over to the street. David explained that the lights are intended to illuminate the stained glass in the sanctuary when it's in use, but not at other times. However, due to the risk of light spillover, the committee asked the applicant to install snoots on the light fixtures to focus the light only on the windows. As a result, the condition for approval was that "lights are shielded to prevent light spillage onto Kane Street." There was no quorum in committee. The motion was approved by the board unanimously.
V. UPDATES FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon invited the public to an upcoming Java with Jo Anne event at the Scion Project on September 17th. She provided updates on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal project, including a recent scoping hearing and comments from the public. She explained that the next step for this process is a response to public comments and a draft environmental impact statement. She is advocating for the advisory task force to allow members of the public to ask questions. She noted an upcoming hearing for the scope of work on Atlantic Yards and explained that a new proposal is to build the platforms over the tracks one at a time. The new proposal reduces the amount of affordable housing to be built, from 50% to 30%, due to the high cost of building on the site. She argued that the project's original promoters did not study project costs appropriately. She referred to the new city proposal for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and noted that impacts will be felt in CB6. She referred to an alternative plan put forward by a local architect and expressed interest in minimizing the impacts of the reconstruction. Finally, she explained that she has introduced legislation that would require all CUNY and SUNY social work programs to offer an elective on post-partum mental health in the context of the Lindsay Clancy trial.
Councilmember Alexa Avilés explained that she has introduced legislation to update designated truck routes in the city in response to constituents feeling that 53-foot trucks are destroying infrastructure and private property. She expressed disappointment in NYCDOT's recent truck route redesign, which increases the total number of route miles in the city. She invited the public to an upcoming Sullivan Street greening project. One member of the public asked her how to request that the city redirect a truck route off of their block, and Councilmember Avilés explained that that decision lies with NYCDOT and cautioned that truck drivers are known to ignore signage.
Nathaniel Goodyear (Office of Senator Andrew Gounardes) announced the Senator's work on the FOCUS Act, which would create regulations for age-appropriate screen time rules to be standardized statewide. In district news, he announced that the Carroll Gardens Library will be reopening in November or December, pending the completion of elevator work.
Álvaro López (Brooklyn Borough Director of the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement) encouraged anyone affected by the federal government's recent changes to Temporary Protected Status to contact the Mayor's hotline at 1-800-354-0365 or visit NYC.gov/knowyourrights. He also introduced the Mayor's 9/11 Document Portal, which is accessible at NYC.gov/Sept11docs. The documents mainly focus on impacts to anyone in Manhattan south of Canal Street in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11th. However, in response to a question from Assemblymember Simon about air quality impacts in Brooklyn, he noted that the release of documents will open up a lot of discussion of the impacts of the attacks. Finally, he explained that the Mayor created a new Office of Worker Power to help workers understand their rights at work.
Iqra Shafiq (Office of Councilmember Shahana Hanif) offered an update on the Carroll Gardens library, which is entering the final phase of construction after a handoff of the project from the Department of Design and Construction to Brooklyn Public Library.
Krista Reilly (Office of Senator Zellnor Myrie), on Zoom, noted that the Senator is pushing for funding for after school and explained that a petition is available at nysenate.gov.
VI. COMMUNITY SESSION
David Kupferberg: Representing Passengers United. Raised concerns about the Brooklyn Bus Network design. Believes goals should be to close gaps and expand service to transportation deserts without eliminating bus stops. Argued that the MTA's approach has not proven effective in Queens. Wants at least 1% of the NYCT's budget to support the redesign.
Dustin Goldman: Noted that the Bergen Bike Bus is back for the new school year, with info available at bikebus.nyc/bergen-bike-bus.
Brant Keave: Recently found a dead body in front of his home at 6 Dyckman Street. Noted a visible increase in drug use on the streets in Red Hook. Has shared concerns with 311 (Mike to follow up) and the 76th Precinct. Jerry to help add this issue to the agenda of the 76th Precinct Community Council.
Donna McGill: Asked for an updated listing of members to be provided on the CB6 website (coming shortly). Suggested CB6 decouple parks and public safety issues from the transportation committee due to strong interest in transportation topics.
Motion to adjourn at 7:58 p.m.