Brooklyn Community Board 11

Monthly Minutes - September 2011

Minutes of Community Board 11's General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at the:
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street

Table of Contents



The meeting was opened with Laurie Windsor having the honor of the pledge.

Public Hearings top

I. BSA Calendar No. 17-99-BZ
1736 Shore Parkway

The applicant seeks to extend the term of a previously granted special permit to operate a physical culture establishment.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing None, a motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to close the public hearing. Seconded by John Garvey. Unanimously adopted.

II. BSA Calendar No. 93-11-BZ
1536 62nd Street

The applicant seeks a special permit to convert the third and fourth floors of an existing building to a school in an M1 zone.

Lou Campanella, a business owner of 62nd Street, stated that this area is a heavily used commercial area. His concerns related to traffic and safety issues for the children.

A business owner in the immediate vicinity stated that this area, which is a M1 zone, is very active with heavy equipment and large trucks, is not the place for children.

A resident of the area stated that she has witnessed children who were unsupervised on the street and children who were left and locked inside the school. She further stated that the Fire Department has vacated the school for safety issues.

Abe Herbst, a parent of three children who attend the school, stated that the school has filed the application for a special permit so that they can address the issues that were stated. He further added that as parents, their first priority is the safety of the children.

A business owner of 62 Street and 15th Avenue spoke in support of the application. He stated that he does not believe the school will bring more traffic than any other use of the building.

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

Public Portion top

A resident of 20th Avenue between 60th and 61st Streets spoke regarding the medical center being built on Bay Parkway and 60th Street. The resident advised that the developer has applied for a reduction in the required off-street parking. She stated that within this area, there are already two schools and a church and there is already a lack of existing parking.

Mark Murphy, representing Public Advocate DiBlasio, advised that in the near future he would be seeking the Board's assistance regarding alternate side parking regulations around schools.

He further stated that the Public Advocate is addressing school overcrowding, and was at PS 101 this morning regarding this issue. An update will be provided to the Board as it becomes available.

Maya Kremen, representing Congressman Nadler, reported that Brooklyn was not included in the eligibility for federal aid to individual property owners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene. The Congressman has sent a letter to the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting that Brooklyn be included in the disaster declaration.

Nick Curran, representing Congressman Grimm, advised that the Congressman has met with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Shore Parkway seawall. Structural improvements are needed to prevent future flooding of the roadway and the Congressman will work with City and State officials on this project.

Rocco Buonpane, representing Councilman Gentile, announced on Sunday, September 11th there will be memorial ceremonies. Along the bike path, there will be commemorative posters handmade by local students. Each poster honors a 9/11 victim. The procession will end at the 69th Street pier where Senator Marty Golden will hold a memorial ceremony featuring a candlelight vigil. Flyers are available.

Andrew OIsen, the Brooklyn Borough South Director of the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit, introduced himself and stated he looked forward to working with the Board.

A resident inquired about what could be done to address the dirty conditions on Bay Parkway.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Tony Troia to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Dr. Joe Caruana. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to accept the minutes of the June 9, 2011 meeting. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

Councilman Domenic M Recchia Jr top

The Councilman advised that during Hurricane Irene he toured the community and the shelter at FDR High School with the Mayor and First Deputy Mayor. He further stated that the breaches along the Shore Parkway Promenade that flooded and ultimately closed-down the Belt Parkway that was caused by the storm would be repaired by the Parks Department under an emergency contract. He stated that this was a short-term solution to a long-term problem. The Bloomberg administration is prepared to address the issue of a major renovation to the seawall.

In closing, the Councilman thanked all of the volunteers and residents who worked in unity during this storm.

Assemblyman Peter Abbate top

The Assemblyman thanked Councilman Domenic Recchia, Chair of the Finance Committee for the funding that was brought into the community in this difficult economy. He further stated that since the legislature was not in session during the summer months he was able to devout his time in the district and work on local issues.

Disposition Of Public Hearings top

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, reported that New York Sports Club located at 1736 Shore Parkway, is seeking to extend the term of their special permit to operate the gym. The previously granted permit expired in 2009, and due to an administrative oversight was not renewed at that time.

A motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to extend the term of a previously granted special permit to operate a physical culture establishment at 1736 Shore Parkway. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Frank Segreto suggested that the following stipulations be included which, calls for the applicant to use both the 62 and 63rd Street for student access; and no buses park on the street during school hours.

Antonio Troia made a motion to oppose the special permit to convert the third and fourth floors of an existing building to a school in an M1 zone at 1536 62nd Street. Seconded by Don Clark.

Tom Colasanto stated that 62 and 63rd Street between 15th and 16th Avenues is very congested. He further stated his concerns for the children's safety when they enter and exit the buses.

Anthony Favale stated that this area is highly commercialized and there is no place to park buses.

After further discussion, the motion was unanimously adopted.

The Chairman advised that this vote was advisory in nature and the Board of Standards and Appeals will review this application based upon the findings.

Chairman's Report top

The Chairman stated that he wanted to publicly thank Councilman Recchia for his quick response in getting the Parks Department, and other agencies to address and assess the damage to the seawall along the Shore Parkway promenade.

Mr. Guarinello commended the 62nd Precinct for their work. A recently released report ranks the 62nd Precinct as the 4th safest place to live citywide.

The Chairman advised that the borough consultations, which signify the beginning of the next budget cycle, fiscal year 2013, will be taking place at the end of the month. In October, we will be holding a public hearing on Community Board 11's capital and expense priorities. If anyone has recommendations for submission, please contact the Community Board office before October 1st.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia discussed issues the office has received regarding the redemption of bottles and cans curbside on city streets, and redemption centers. She stated that it appears that an unintended effect of the New York State Bottle Bill that allows carters to collect at redemption centers also allows them to become mobile. This has resulted in people redeeming recyclables from the sidewalks to a truck parked in the street. She further stated that while recycling is good for the environment there should be appropriate sites for redemption.

Additionally, with the opening of redemption centers in the community, the Department of Environmental Conservation has required that applicants get approval from the Community Board.

The District Manager advised that she has refused to sign any approval letters because there are no regulations in place to do so.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to call upon the Department of Environmental Conservation to amend the Bottle Bill Law to address the unintended effect of mobile redemption centers; and to institute a procedure for notification of Community Boards in relation to the opening of a redemption center. Seconded by Tom Colasanto. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager reported that she has received results from the Department of Sanitation regarding the 18th Avenue Pilot Project. They stated that since July 1, 2011, 38 Notices of Violation for Improper Disposal or Improper Use of DSNY litter basket have been issued. They further stated that the program appears to have been successful and they anticipate continuing the program along with enforcement monitoring for the next 3 months.

Marnee Elias-Pavia announced that the Federation of Italian American Organizations is holding their annual Columbus Day Parade on Saturday, October 8th. Unfortunately, she will not be able to attend since it is on Yom Kippur.

The District Manager congratulated Eileen LaRuffa on being honored at the 86th Street Bath Beach Kiwanis Club.

New Business top

Anthony Favale inquired as to the status of repairs on the concrete that was broken during the Avenue V Pumping Station project.

The District Manager advised that the damage was submitted to the insurance company and we are awaiting the resolution.

A motion was made by Tom Colasanto to adjourn. Seconded by Tony Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Meeting adjourned.

Attendance top

    Present
  • Bart Allegretti
  • Ross Brady
  • Matthew Bromme
  • Maria Campanella
  • Al Campanelli
  • Dr. Joseph Caruana
  • Rosa Casella
  • Warren Chan
  • Steve Chung
  • Donald Clark
  • Tom Colasanto
  • Louis Crispiano
  • Sal D'Alessio
  • Claudio DeMeo
  • Mafalda DiMango
  • Joseph DiSanto
  • Paul DiSpirito
  • Yoketing Eng
  • Charles Farrauto
  • Anthony Favale
  • John Garvey
  • William Guarinello
  • Eileen LaRuffa
  • Man Wai Lau
  • Tim Law
  • Al Milone
  • Raymond Mollica
  • Rabbi Gary Pollack
  • Sal Rao
  • Stanley Roher
  • Frank Segreto
  • Antonio Troia
  • Sonia Valentin
  • Laurie Windsor
  • Robert Yee
    Absent
  • Gerald Bertuna
  • Eric DiNapoli
  • Anthony Mallozzi
  • Vito Marinelli
  • Camillo Messina
    Excused
  • Leonard Beninson
  • Msgr. David Cassato
  • Jerry Chiapetta
  • Marc D'Ottavio
  • Shirley Fineman
  • Vito Marangelli
  • Nicholas Miraglia
  • Vincent Nativo
  • James Orlando
  • Barbara Parisi
    Guests
  • Frederick A. Becker
  • Moshe Friedman
  • Sylvia Maraia - Councilman Recchia
  • Jake Adler - Councilmember Greenfield
  • Kenneth Lazar- Department of Buildings
  • E. Ahern
  • Lily Wong - Brooklyn Borough President
  • Sandy Roher
  • Mary Ann Peduto
  • Frances Petito
  • Mark Murphy - Public Advocate