Monthly Minutes - December 2009

Public Hearing top

BSA Calendar # 309/09BZ
2173 65th Street
Block 5550 Lot 40

The applicant seeks:
1. A variance to the floor area ratio (FAR) for an otherwise conforming, 5-story mixed use building, in use groups 2 and 5 in a R61/C2-1 zoning district; and
2. The side requirement.

Vincenza Calgano spoke in objection to the height of the proposed building.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Bart Allegretti to close the public hearing. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Pledge Of Allegiance top

The regular meeting of Community Board 11 was opened with Jerry Bertuna having the honor of leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moment Of Silence top

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence for Fay Cassato, mother of Msgr. David Cassato, who passed away this past Tuesday.

Public Portion top

A resident of 64th Street inquired about the proposed building at 2173 65th Street. He stated that there were already 2 large buildings in the area and the addition of this building would reduce privacy.

Tammy Lee Christensen, representing the New York City Department of Health, advised that this weekend would be the last for free H1N1 vaccinations. Those interested may obtain a vaccination on Saturday from

9AM – 6PM and Sunday from 9AM – 5PM at PS 186, 7601 19th Avenue. Handouts are available.

Jonathan Yedin, representing Congressman McMahon, advised that last week, Congress passed the health reform act. The Congressman opposed the health care reform act. While he does support health care reform, the bill presented did not adequately address all of the issues.

Mr. Yedin further advised that the House approved $70 million in new funding for federal 9/11 health programs. This funding will address the long term health conditions and care of the survivors and first responders who were sickened or injured in the aftermath of 9/11.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Vincent Nativo to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Don Clark. Unanimously adopted.

Disposition Of Public Hearing top

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, advised that the applicant is seeking a variance in order to construct a mixed-use building at 2173 65th Street. The proposed building would comprise five stories plus cellar, which would consist of eight (8) residential apartments, 2 each on the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. The first floor and part of the cellar would be commercially rented under “Use Group 6” guidelines.

The proposed height of the building will be 55’, less than the permitted height of 60’ and will be lower than the 70’ height of the existing mixed-use building on the Bay Parkway side. Therefore, there would be no additional shadows caused by the proposed building.

Mr. Segreto explained that when City Planning rezoned Bensonhurst, a portion of this lot was designated R5, which calls for an 8 foot side yard. The applicant as of right could build a 16 foot wide, 60-foot high building. He is requesting a waiver of the side yard requirement that abuts the property on Bay Parkway.

Mr. Segreto recommended that this application be approved with recommendation that the commercial portion of the property have no on premises dry cleaning.

A motion was made by Eileen LaRuffa to move on the recommendation made by the Planning and Zoning Committee. Seconded by Jerry Bertuna. The motion was 14 for; 8 opposed, 4 abstentions. Motion carried.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, Bart Allegretti made a motion to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Stan Roher. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

Vincent Nativo made a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 12, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Tom Colasanto. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

Mr. Guarinello advised that those wishing to pay their respects to Msgr. Cassato may do so this evening at Scarpaci Funeral Home, 1401 86th Street until 9:30 PM.

The Chairman advised that Maria Campanella and State Senator Martin Golden will be holding a food drive collection on Sunday, December 13th from 2PM – 6PM on the corner of Avenue U and West 10th Street. All food collected will be distributed to Reachin Out Community Services.

Mr. Guarinello thanked Paul DiSpirito for donating the food for this evening’s collation, and Assemblyman Peter Abbate for the homemade cookies and struffoli.

Assemblyman Abbate top

The Assemblyman thanked the board members for their effort in making this community one of the best in the city.

Assemblyman Abbate advised that he has been up in Albany working on plans to reduce the budget deficit. The fiscal year which ends March 31st, has a 4 billion dollar deficit. The legislature has made reductions closing the gap by 2.2 billion dollars; they will be working to close the additional deficit.

He wished everyone a happy and healthy new year.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that she met with Deputy Chief Myron Priester, Department of Sanitation, to discuss the issues raised at last month’s board
meeting regarding Fall Street cleaning. She stated that Community Board 11 has the same amount of equipment, manpower, and fewer instances of mechanical breakdowns, as compared to other districts.

The District Manager further stated that the Department of Sanitation needs to provide supplemental education to the residents on the rules as they relate to leaf collection. She additionally suggested that next year a pilot program be instituted to urge the residents to compost their leaves.

Ms. Elias-Pavia reported that on January 25th, the New York City Department of Homeless Services will be conducting the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate. Thousands of volunteers are needed to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to count the number of people living unsheltered. Anyone interested in participating should contact the Community Board office.

The District Manager reported that NYH2O, a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to protecting New York’s drinking water resources from the dangers of gas extraction, has contacted the Community Board office regarding the proposed extraction of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in upstate New York by a method called hydraulic fracturing.

She further explained that hydraulic fracturing is a recovery process that frees natural gas deposits using large quantities of water combined with multiple chemical additives, many of which are known to be toxic. This extraction method presents risks of water contamination during drilling operations to the drinking water supply.

A motion was made by Don Clark to oppose the use of hydraulic fracturing as the recovery method to extract natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. The vote was 25 in favor, 1 opposed. Motion carried.

The District Manager reported that she met with Transit today regarding the rehabilitation of D line. The project began without transit or the contractor notifying our office, and changes were made to the plans.

In addition to station improvements, structural deficiencies will be addressed along the elevated structure from 63rd Street to Stillwell Avenue.

There are approximately 490 steel columns designated for repairs. Duration of the column work is about 3 months at each column, and the contractor will be working in multiple locations in a 2 block closed, 3 blocks open pattern. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Councilman Vincent Gentile top

The Councilman reported that Mayor Bloomberg has signed into law a bill, which he sponsored, that requires the Department of Transportation to notify the affected Community Board and Council Member prior to making any changes to meter or sign regulations. This will help prevent unknowing motorists from receiving unfair parking tickets.

The Councilman further reported that the Mayor vetoed legislation, which calls for a 5-minute grace period of the time allocation before a parking ticket can be issued for an expired meter. The council will override the Mayor’s veto.

Councilman Gentile, in his continued commitment to supporting the Community Boards in his district, presented Community Board 11 with a check for $2,000.

The Chairman and District Manager thanked the Councilman for his continued support of Community Board 11.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to adjourn. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Jerry Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Albert Campanelli
• Rosa Casella
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Donald Clark
• Thomas Colasanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Salvatore D’Alessio
• Paul DiSpirito
• Shirley Fineman
• John Garvey
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Kevin Ly
• Camillo Messina
• Albert Milone
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Angelo Russo
• Frank Segreto
• Antonio Troia
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Leonard Beninson
• Iris Chiu
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Corrado Manfredi
• Ella Nigro
• Kalman Talbak

Excused
• Joseph Caruana
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• Charles Farrauto
• Angel Geraldi
• Rosalee Manitta
• Nicholas Miraglia
• James Orlando
• Barbara Parisi
• John Raffaele
• Stanley Roher

Guests
• Ralph Stroffolino
• Anita Stroffolino
• Rakhi Bhattacharya
• Tammy Lee Christenson - Department of Health
• Al Fazio – Assembly Member Abbate
• Elizabeth Rdier – Brooklyn Public Library
• Elliott Kramer – Council Member Recchia
• Vincenza Calgano