carroll gardens petition

LAST OPPORTUNITY to speak out on behalf of the CG Zoning Text Amendment (MONDAY 7/21)!

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:21:00 +0000

HELLO FROM CORD

THIS COMING MONDAY, JULY 21ST AT 9:30 AM is the last opportunity to speak out on behalf of the CG Zoning Text Amendment!
This is your last chance to let our City Council Members know how strongly we support this text change which will finally and properly classify and zone the 15 blocks covered in this amendment, as the little side streets they actually are.
(Link to Text Amendment here)

THIS TEXT AMENDMENT, IF PASSED, WILL NO LONGER ALLOW THE BOULEVARD SIZED TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION CURRENTLY PERMITTED ON THESE TINY BLOCKS.

This is the final public hearing. This is the last step we are permitted to actively participate in, within the process. Two days after this hearing, the full council will meet and vote.

So many of you have signed letters of support. So many have taken the time and expressed themselves publicly at the prior hearings required by this process; the community board meetngs, the Borough President's public hearing in May and the NYC Planning Commission hearing in June.

.....Let us not falter now. Let us complete what we have patiently worked so long and so hard to do!

Please come and bring a friend or a neighbor. For three minutes or less, you may read your prepared statement. If speaking out publicly is not for you, you can still show your support by coming out and standing side by side with your neighbors and friends.

If you need any help preparing your statement, please browse thru all the public testimony that CORD has featured in previous blog posts. There are many wonderful ideas that you can adapt to your personal style. Type "testimony" into the search blog bar at the top left of our blog and you will HEAR the voices of so many of your neighbors. (Or go to: http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/search?q=testimony)
Thank you.

CG CORD

WHEN: MONDAY JULY 21ST AT 9:30 AM
WHERE: CITY HALL COMMITTEE ROOM

DIRECTIONS: VIA SUBWAY
F TRAIN TO JAY ST
SWITCH TO A OR C TO CHAMBERS STREET
WALK TO MURRAY & BROADWAY

CORD/Coalition for Respectful Development Gives THANKS!

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:38:00 +0000

C.O.R.D. THANK YOU

As you know, the City Planning Commission unanimously passed the Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment on Wednesday, July 2^nd..

We deeply appreciate and have acknowledged the Department of City Planning, Chair Burden, all of the City Planning Commissioners and Brooklyn City Planning staff for this wonderful first step in preserving and protecting our home, this great neighborhood, Carroll Gardens.

Now, as we march on to the final phase, the City Council hearings and vote, CORD would like to take this opportunity to reflect on what brought us to this point, and to acknowledge and express our sincerest thanks to our elected officials and their staff members and to all of you, who have so whole heartedly supported this amendment.

Way back in July of 2007, after numerous letters, emails, media and blog coverage, about CORD’S still popular moratorium petition, seeking a height restriction of fifty feet (50’) in Carroll Gardens, Amanda Burden, Chair of the New York City Department of City Planning, wrote to many Carroll Gardens residents.

She explained that although a moratorium was possible, it required the identical ULURP process as a rezoning. The contextual rezoning, which was the desire expressed by the community in a joint CB6/CGNA survey which had been conducted about a year and a half earlier, and committed to by City Planning, was still intended to begin, but no timeframe as yet had been established. Moratorium hopes as a way to save the character of our neighborhood appeared even bleaker.

Frustrated and concerned about what would happen to our neighborhood if left unguarded and unprotected, we continued to appeal to our elected officials. We are absolutely certain that it is because of their intervention and support, that City Planning came up with the solution called, the Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment. It is by no means the cure all. It does not institute an overall height limit, but it does, at least, correctly designate the fifteen blocks covered in this amendment as the “narrow” side streets they truly are, rather than the boulevards some developers have succeeded in misusing them as. For that, we are truly grateful..

First, we would like to thank Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and her assistant, Deanna Bitetti. Although this amendment was not a federal matter, Congresswoman Clarke nevertheless, sent a letter to the Department of City Planning urging them to consider our neighborhood for a rezoning study. We have not forgotten that Deanna, going well above and beyond the call of duty, drafted the Italian language version of the flyer announcing that the Borough President’s hearing was approaching.

State Senator Marty Connor also expressed his full support for a rezoning in a letter to Chair Burden. Senator Connor’s Assistant, Oscar Jonas, memorably spoke on the steps of Borough Hall, pledging to support the effort to keep Carroll Gardens, “small”. He followed up those remarks at public hearings with statements that we felt captured the essence and passion of this wonderful neighborhood and you, its committed residents.

Likewise, our Assemblywoman, Joan Millman and her staff members reached out to Chair Burden and requested a rezoning. Her assistant, Paul Nelson spoke movingly of the Assemblywoman’s unconditional support of the text amendment at a Community Board 6 Land Use Meeting. His comments and that meeting will be remembered for a very long time to come..

Borough President Markowitz and Richard Bearak, Deputy Director of Planning and Development, not only enthusiastically urged City Planning for action, but backed up their request with hard information, numbers and a fact painted realistic picture of a neighborhood basically under siege by overdevelopment. The Borough President then went on to host a wonderfully attended public hearing followed up by a whole hearted recommendation in a ten page, comprehensive report that boiled down to a huge, YES!

Last, but certainly not least, Councilman DeBlasio, and his tireless assistant, Tom Gray, have been at the forefront leading the charge for this amendment. Whether you heard the Councilman announce back in January that City Planning had agreed to introduce this zoning text change, or you were fortunate enough to hear the Councilman speak at the Borough President’s hearing; if you experienced Tom’s personal flyer deliveries directly to the doors of affected homeowners, or his incredible patience in obtaining answers to literally hundreds of questions, there is no doubt that our Councilman and his Assistant deserve our praises and our gratitude. Well done!!

We also wish to thank our Community Board which genuinely considered and deliberated all aspects and possible ramifications of the amendment before voting, YES. We appreciate their thoughtfulness and applaud their ultimate decision.

We are not quite done yet……as we move on now to the City Council hearings and vote, we must ask for the support and assistance of each of our Electeds and, of course, each of you, one more time. We have had the following confirmed by Tom Gray, just yesterday………… the amendment is scheduled for Council Land Use Sub Committee hearing on Monday, July 21^st. Per the City Council Technical Staff, it will be held at 9:30 AM in the City Hall Committee Room.

We hope that you will consider coming and speaking out at the hearing. If speaking out is not for you, then we hope you will come and stand side by side with your neighbors in a show of support. The next hearing will follow on July 22^nd. That is the full Land Use Committee, Chaired by Councilwoman Melinda Katz. It is our understanding that although open to public observation, this hearing is not open for public testimony. Finally, on July 23^rd, the full Council will meet and vote on the amendment.

Please join us as we move on to this final phase. And please do join us in expressing our gratitude to all of our Elected Officials who have helped us get this far.

CORD/Coalition for Respectful Development

www.carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com

cgcord@gmail.com

The Red Flag Before Gowanus Development

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:34:00 +0000

This week's Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Courier (July 4th issue) features a front page article by Gary Buiso titled,
"Built on Muck: Contaminated Gowanus Clouds Future Development".

In it, several prominent locals are somberly voicing their concerns as to the wisdom of situating a residential development atop such a severely contaminated site.

"This is one of the most polluted sites to ever have housing on it-and that only raises the level of concern," states Roy Sloane, Community Board 6 Landmarks/Land Use Committee member on page 1.

"If one person gets cancer or gets sick, I will never be able to live with myself," he is quoted as saying later in the same article (p.34).

Another Committee Member, Pauline Blake, is quoted as saying to the development committee, "Your design is going ahead prior to the completion of the clean-up. How do we know it will be clean enough?" (p.34).

Buiso writes, "The importance of a proper clean-up of the Public Place site can hardly be underestimated. Coal tar which can be hazardous to human has been found 150 feet below the surface. 774 units of housing in nine buildings whose heights will range from 6 to 12 stories are planned for the site" (p. 1, 34).

Bob Levine, the chair of the landmarks committee commented, "Too many variables exist to welcome the plan carte blanche", and, "You're putting the cart before the horse" in response to the planning of development phase that is already occurring before the clean-up of the site" (p.34).

Because environmental clean-ups and safety concerns affect us ALL here in Carroll Gardens, not only those of us living near Public Place, we are wise to keep our eyes clearly focused on this clean-up before anyone makes Public Place: "Home".
CORD

(See the complete article at the Courier website or at the newsstands this week)

Planning Commission Approves CG Text Amendment by Unanimous Vote

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:43:00 +0000

CORD wishes to thank Amanda Burden, Purnima Kapur, Winston Von Engel, Jen Posner, and all of the the City Planning Commissioners for UNANIMOUSLY voting in favor of the Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment.

For the latest, read Gowanus Lounge.com and Curbed.com

From: www.curbed.com

Caroll Gardens Close to Going Tumor-Free After Planning Vote

Wednesday, July 2, 2008, by Robert

The long running fight in Carroll Gardens to change city zoning so that very narrow streets are actually defined that way for zoning purposes, limiting the heights of new buildings, passed the City Planning Commission this morning. Old zoning has defined streets that are 50 feet wide (counting sidewalks) and that can barely handle parked cars and still allow one to drive up the middle as being up to 130 feet wide because front yards are counted (the "gardens" in Carroll Gardens). The change means a reduction in the height of new buildings from up to seven stories on "wide" streets" to five stories on "narrow" streets. It also helps eliminate large tumor additions to existing buildings. There's a final City Council vote on July 23 and the measure is expected to pass. A bigger neighborhood downzoning that many residents are pushing for is still at least two years away, however.
· Carroll Gardens Streets to Get Narrower (on Paper) [Curbed]
· Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment [nyc.gov]

Planning Commssion Approves Carroll Gardens “Narrow Streets”

from: www.gowanuslounge.com

July 2nd, 2008 ·

The “narrow streets” zoning text amendment that would redefine a number of narrow Carroll Gardens streets as actually being narrow for zoning purposes was passed by the City Planning Commission today by a unanimous vote. The measure would define the streets as 50 wide rather than the current 130 feet (which counts front gardens) and cut the height of future buildings from a maximum of seven stories to five stories. The measure will go to the City Council on July 23 where it is expected to be approved by a wide margin. An overall Carroll Gardens downzoning is still a number of years in the future, even though local officials and community groups have been pushing for immediate action. The Zoning Text Amendment moved relatively quickly through the process because it wasn’t subject to a full land use review.

CB 6 LAND USE MEETING TONITE! ALL ARE WELCOME

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:24:00 +0000

The Public is invited to attend this important meeting!

TO:MEMBERS OF THE LANDMARKS/LAND USE COMMITTE

SUBJECT: LANDMARKS/LANDUSE COMMITTEE

DATE: THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008

TIME: 6:00 PM

PLACE:
P.S. 32 - AUDITORIUM
317 HOYT STREET
BROOKLYN NY 11231

A G E N D A

- Presentation and introduction by representatives for the Department of
Housing Presentation and Development of the development team selected by
the City of New York to develop "Public Place," the City-owned 6-acre
parcel at the southeast corner of Smith & 5th Streets (Block 471, Lot1)....and much more

- Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness
application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for
facade alterations at the Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street,
Cobble Hill Historic District.

- Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness
application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for
various facade alterations and new building entrances at 138-138A Court
Street, Cobble Hill Historic District.

- Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness
application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the
legalization of various storefront alterations at 164 Court Street,
Cobble Hill Historic District.

- Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness
application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for
various alterations to 37 7th Avenue, Park Slope Historic District.

- Presentation and review of a Certificate of Appropriateness
application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for
facade alterations at 799 Carroll Street, Park Slope Historic District.

ROBERT LEVINE, LANDMARKS

PETER FLEMING, LAND USE

DDDB asks PACB to reconsider AY approval; Engineer Charged in Laborer Death; and SMITH STREET FUN DAY!!;

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:52:00 +0000

This Sunday come to the annual: “Smith Street Sunday Funday” fair.

It runs from 11AM-6PM from Union Street to Bergen street. CORD will a have a table...see you there!!

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Friday, June 20, 2008

Given 50% arena cost increase, DDDB asks PACB to reconsider AY approval

"Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) yesterday asked the three-member Public Authorities Control Board (PACB)—comprised of Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno—to revisit its approval of the Atlantic Yards project, given “the dramatic increase in cost of Forest City Ratner’s Atlantic Yards arena and the development project as a whole.” The effort relies on an untested area of state law...."
(from AY see link below for more)

Link
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2008/06/given-50-arena-cost-increase-dddb-asks.html

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SECOND RAP IN COLLAPSE DEATH

See This Link at the New York Post

By BILL SANDERSON

June 20, 2008 -- A second suspect was indicted yesterday in the death of a day laborer in a wall collapse at a Brooklyn construction site.

Abraham Herzberg, 86, an engineer, was charged with filing faked papers with the Department of Buildings showing excavation plans for the site in East New York. The papers carried another engineer's signature, the city Department of Investigation says

More CG Testimony from the City Planning Commission hearing June 4 th

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:06:00 +0000

More CG Testimony from the City Planning Commission hearing June 4 th

Hello! We in Carroll Gardens are very thankful to Amanda Burden, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning, and to the NYC Planning Commission and to the Punrma Kapur Jen Posner, and Winston VonEngel of the
Brooklyn City Planning Office for this unique opportunity to close an administrative loophole in order to protect Carroll Gardens. To date, nearly 700 people have signed a letter of support and are continuing to sign in support of Carroll Gardens Text Amendment. Thank you Commissioner Burden! The CPC is scheduled to vote on the Text Amendment on July 2.

Below hear what some of your CG neighbors presented at the NYC Planning Commission Hearing on Wednesday, June 4th.

Testimony of Triada Samaras
2^nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231

I am testifying in favor of the zoning text amendments that would change the designation of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Places as well as 2^nd Street, Carroll Street, and President Street between Smith Street and Hoyt Street from a wide street designation to a narrow street designation.

I am a 15 year resident of Carroll Gardens, and a co-founder of C.O.R.D. (Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development). C.O.R.D. was organized a year ago in the wake of the devastating news that a massive building was about to land on our corner at Oliver House, 131 Second Place (a.k.a.360 Smith Street). I can not fully explain how disturbing the news of this ill-conceived Oliver House was to those of us who live, walk, and congregate within feet of that corner. This site is the heart of Carroll Gardens and its transportation hub.

So many of us wondered: What kind of fuzzy math was used that would allow a developer to construct this mammoth sized structure? Furthermore, we heard the even stranger argument that the developer was building AS OF RIGHT, and that the community had no say in the matter!

It is obvious to any young child with a tape measure, that Second Place, can barely accommodate one car at a time. It is not meant to be developed in the same way as a wide street like Court Street is. This calculation defies common sense and everyday logic.

Has the City considered the damage that oversized buildings designed for wide streets can do to fragile, smaller homes designed and built for narrow streets? What about the obvious safety issues involved in constructing a building as massive as Oliver House? Is the city considering the effects of the increased population on our fragile infrastructure?

Looking back to when I bought my house 15 years ago, I wondered aloud with my neighbors: How many of us would have bought our homes on these narrow streets knowing a loophole existed calculating them as wide? I dare say very few.

Hadn’t we specifically chosen to purchase homes on narrow, side streets AWAY from the wide streets? Yes, we who moved to Carroll Gardens had sought a reprieve from the large structures and denser neighborhoods found in Manhattan. We decided to live here as an alternative. We are now financially, emotionally, and psychologically invested in Carroll Gardens.

Thousands of CG residents have signed a CORD petition to support a resolution to impose an immediate building moratorium in Carroll Gardens. Hundreds of people also signed letters in support of the zoning text amendments. These residents are demanding a stop to the over-development insanity in Carroll Gardens.

PLEASE close this wide streets loophole at once! Please approve this text amendment IMMEDIATELY before more irreversible damage is done to our narrow streets with front gardens, and to my favorite place on earth: my neighborhood and my home – Carroll Gardens!
Triada Samaras

Link to Text Amendment fact Sheet Prepared by CORD and CGNA

Link to CG Zoning Text Amendment

Moving CG Testimony from the City Planning Commission hearing June 4 th

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Hello! We in Carroll Gardens are very thankful to Amanda Burden, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning, and to the NYC Planning Commission for this unique opportunity to close an administrative loophole in order to protect Carroll Gardens. To date, nearly 700 people have signed a letter of support and are continuing to sign in support of Carroll Gardens Text Amendment. Thank you Commissioner Burden!

Below hear what some of your CG neighbors presented at the NYC Planning Commission Hearing on Wednesday, June 4th.

My name is Maryann Young. I am a property owner and 12-year resident of Carroll Gardens, South Brooklyn, NY. I’m here to lend support to the passage of Carroll Gardens zoning text amendment (CD 6 N 080345 ZRK). And before I go further, I would like to take a moment to thank you Ms. Burden, Ms. Kapur, and Ms. Posner for this long awaited proposal. Your recognition and quick action to correct a wrong is commendable and congratulatory. You have my deepest respect and thanks for your understanding of the dire need of our community to protect and preserve its integrity and historical characteristics.

My quest to preserve this great and wonderful place I live in and call ‘home”, is not for any financial gain or political aspiration. I’m here because I have found a neighborhood worth fighting for.

As I’m aware that there are many sides to every story, I took it upon myself to take a zoning course with the distinguished Doris Diether, a Village preservation advocate for 48 years and a zoning expert of citywide repute. From knowing a little bit more than before on zoning laws, I can proudly say that I learned enough to understand the definitions pertaining to this zoning text amendment proposal.

This is indeed a special situation and discovery that would give back to the community a leverage that will help to protect against the out-of-scale developments within these breathtaking blocks, blocks that were never meant to be destroyed because of an unintentional mistake, especially from a simple word “wide”.

I am in favor of this amendment on the Place blocks because it is by far the best remedy available currently to save the blocks that truly represent this beautiful, unique community.

By protecting the historical nature of these charming blocks …with classic brownstones and well groomed gardens, it will only ADD VALUE to these homes.

More importantly, it will ease the fear of the many generations of families and friends who love their homes, who want to keep their sunshine and open space, and the sounds of quiet calm when they walk the streets home.

The community is behind this amendment. I have spoken to hundreds of my neighbors as I was passing out flyers and fact sheets regarding this hearing and zoning text amendment and overwhelmingly, the people are in agreement. We NEED this zoning text amendment PASSED IMMEDIATELY.

Ms Burden, Distinguished panel, I ask of you today …TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

STAND BY those who represent the GREATER GOOD than the greed of a few. Pass this much needed zoning text amendment now and start the process of providing contextual rezoning to ALL of Carroll Gardens today.

Thank you for listening and acting CORRECTLY. Maryann Young

Link to Text Amendment fact Sheet Prepared by CORD and CGNA

Link to CG Zoning Text Amendment

Councilman DeBlasio's Support for the Zoning Text Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Hello from Cord! Above you will see a copy of the letter Councilman DeBlasio signed to NYC Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden expressing his support for the Zoning Text Amendment. CLICK on the letter to ENLARGE IT! We are continuing to feature the numerous testimonies supporting this measure. (Please see the earlier posts here on our blog for more details). CORD

Provokative Public Hearing Testimony; NOW? for Deep Reforms at the DOB?? and Gowanus Lounge is back up and running!

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Good afternoon from CORD! We are continuing to run the testimonies of your neighbors who have spoken out so eloquently IN FAVOR of the Zoning Text Amendment proposed by the Commissioner of City Planning, Amanda Burden.

Today we feature that of a CORD Co-Founder!

For these other top stories, please see below

The latest on Deep Reforms at the DOB
The mighty Gowanus Lounge Blog is thankfully back after a horror weekend with a "horror" server!

Testimony Read at last week's Department of City Planning Commission Public Hearing on June 4th:

Commissioners Burden, Kapur, Esteemed Panel

Good morning. My name is Rita Miller. I am a lifelong, third generation Carroll Gardens resident, a CORD member, and the owner of two properties on Second Place.

For those of us who choose to make our houses, our homes, we know that the price we pay for oversized development is a diminishment in the quality of our lives--- a commodity which no glossy real estate magazine can place a per square foot price tag upon—

Our unique front gardens established the creation of this “wide street” situation, an apparently unintentional side effect of the Quality Housing regulations established in 1987, and the groundwork for just such out of context development was laid.

I think that this text amendment is a wonderful idea and getting this clarification adopted, as is, as swiftly as possible will help to relieve our situation.

Several modifications have been suggested; one argument for such being that the adoption of this amendment will encourage and reward developers for employing height factor. I ‘m no expert, but it seems obvious even to me that the availability of existing, appropriate locations for this type of construction on these affected blocks is severely limited, the probability of assembling a suitable location is, at best, slim and even if this assemblage were acquired, with only a 10% maximum achievable increase in FAR, the expenditure involved versus the possible finished product, seems neither cost effective nor sensible. Perhaps that is why, on the comparably designed, residential streets within Carroll Gardens, there are no examples of height factor being employed.

Therefore, delaying this amendment’s rapid passage to the Council, for this, or any other modification, could only serve to jeopardize our contextual rezoning aspirations by allowing the continuing creation of more non-compliancy than what is permitted by the R5B&6B classifications already requested for these very streets.

So, I like this amendment just the way it is. A reduction in FAR is a small price to pay for some salvation. I want to thank you, Ms Burden, Ms Kapur and Ms Posner. We needed this quirk corrected and you responded with a thoughtful, legitimate, reasonable and effective remedy. Bravo!

Once in place, we will at least, and at last, be standing on the same level zoning playing field as the rest of our neighborhood—these blocks, the heart and soul of Carroll Gardens, painstakingly planned, so long ago, by the talented and visionary Mr.Richard Butts, will be able to breathe a bit easier, while we await the contextual rezoning we still so desperately need and pursue historic preservation to further protect this neighborhood that we love.

No one can undo the damage that has already been done as a result of this fateful oversight----additional delay will most assuredly encourage more harm. Please don’t allow our downzoning to be further compromised.

Thank you. Rita Miller

Reforms? at the DOB? at long last? From Gowanus Lounge Today:

"Upcoming: A New Call for Department of Buildings Reform"

June 9th, 2008 ·

Could deep reform of the Department of Buildings be an issue whose time has come, given two horrendous crane collapses (plus several arrests) this year? Well, there’s a press conference to call for reforms that will be taking place on Thursday at Noon at City Hall. Per an email:

In light of the Deutsche Bank building disaster and the two recent high-profile crane accidents, community activists and elected officials are coming together to demand reforms at the Department of Buildings. Mayor Bloomberg’s recent proposals are a step in the right direction , but now he has to work with community groups that have been advocating for DOB reform for years. Construction deaths are not limited to cranes, so it is important to address the bigger issues, and not just react to the news of the week.

The BEST $2.00 DEAL IN ALL OF BROOKLYN (and zoning testimony to die for!)

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:21:00 +0000

A Food And Wine Tasting At Smith Street's Transit Garden

Two dollars never went this far!

Saturday. June 7th, 2008
Raindate: Sunday, June 8th

The Transit Garden, Smith St.@ 2nd Pl,11-5pm

This Yummy description is taken from the PMFA Blog:

A Food & Wine Tasting Event celebrating The Transit
Garden.

There will be an al fresco morning café au lait
"picnique" with delicious finger food breakfast
snacks from 11 AM until 1PM.

At 1PM brunch gives way to L'apres-midi
Wine/Cheese/ Amuse Your Taste Buds Tidbits Tastings
and music from local talents - recorded and live.

The whole event will feature over 15 of our
wonderful Smith & Court Street restaurants, food &
wine shops, bakeries etc. providing the foods & wines
for sampling @ only $2.00 per tasting.

Sets of coupons will be for sale at the garden gate.
$10 for 5 tastings
or the super bargain of $20 for 12 tastings,

A $2.00 tasting ticket will buy you a café au lait
or a demi-bagel at brunch, or a nice wine to taste
with a nibble of interesting cheese on a cracker .

We are Family Friendly too, there will be $2 Fruit
Drink/Donut Pop'ums or mini pizza servings for the
juniors while parents sample the gourmet fare.
this PETITE BITE OF BOCOCA will take place entirely
inside the lovely setting of The Transit Garden
(corner of Smith & 2nd Place), and will again
benefit the garden plantings & maintenance and help
the non-profit SBLDC cover garden-related insurance
costs.

Enjoy the garden, lots of benches to sit on, lots of
beauty around you, your friends and neighbors to
meet and share conversation - all for a good local
cause.
Contacts:
Bette Stoltz 718 207-9570
Rita Miller 347 661- 8819
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IN OTHER NEWS:

The New York City Planning Commission Hearing was held yesterday and a great number of neighborhood people took the day off from work to attend this important event and to show their support for the Zoning Text Amendment for Carroll Gardens. Oscar Jonas from State Senator Marty Connor's office made the comment that these people (he means we Carroll Gardens folks) will go anywhere....any time...any how.....to attend a meeting to support saving our neighborhood because we love our neighborhood that much! (Paraphrase)

And yes Oscar you are right and thank you for the compliment! We remember when Councilman Bill DeBlasio remarked one year ago, when CORD was still a little "baby", that Carroll Gardens was a particularly "passionate" place and his quote is still featured in our CORD "QUOTE" section in the side bar (r.h. side).

Today excellent coverage of the hearing yesterday abounds on the blogs and here are two of our favorites from Gowanus Lounge, and Pardon Me for Asking:

GL LINK: Carroll Gardens Narrow Streets Get Their Hearing

PMFA Link: Carroll Gardens Testifies In Front Of City Planning: "A Neighborhood Worth Fighting For"

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ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TESTIMONY TO DIE FOR:

In following with our recently established custom, we are continuing to post your letters of support for the Zoning Text Amendment in Carroll Gardens
here on our CORD blog.

Following is some heartfelt and brilliant testimony from CG resident Jim Devor, resident on Second Place (same block as the proposed "Oliver House" development located at: 131 Second Place", a.k.a. "360 Smith Street"). Jim is also an attorney who has, together with his wife Vicki, been extremely active in the CG community for many years, serving together quietly unselfishly, and in several civic capacities, to make CG a better neighborhood for all of us to live in.

Jim read this yesterday at the City Planning Commission Hearing:

I'm a homeowner, for the past twelve years, on one of the blocks affected by the proposal. I am, however, still paying a mortgage, so by Carroll Gardens standards, I guess I'm still a newcomer.

I am here to speak in favor of the proposed Text Amendment, which basically would put the Place blocks of Carroll Gardens on an equal footing with the rest of the neighborhood. I am also here to speak in opposition to the "substitute" being offered by some of its opponents.

As the Borough President's Office has already indicated, the Text Amendment before you is a giant step in securing the unique character of a wonderful neighborhood. But I particularly want to address the urgency of passing it, as written , as quickly as possible.

Recently, I looked up a website, Zillow.com, to check on the value of my house. To my amazement, its "market value" increased by a quarter of a million dollars in the past three months! Now, given the softening of the real estate market elsewhere, this was rather startling. It then dawned on me why this had happened - a conjecture validated in a conversation I had with a local real estate developer.

Buildings on the Place blocks in my neighborhood are being marketed not based on what is there now but rather on what can currently be built out and up based on our wide street designation!

That kind of speculation and potential for massive building alterations must be restrained now! Otherwise, if this amendment is deferred, ostensibly in order to perfect a rezoning of the area, it will become an academic exercise.

Some of the opponents of the Text Amendment resolution claim to have a better alternative and many of us have no problem, in the abstract, with their suggestion. But, as a practical matter, this will delay implementation of a badly needed limitatation on inappropriate development.

Thus, I submit, that the alternative put forward by some of the opponents of the Text Amendment is nothing less than a Trojan Horse concelaing the rapacious appetites of real estate developers and brokers in opposition to the overwhelming support of the Carroll Gardens community.

Don't fall for the trick of deferring the very good (albeit interim) solution in the name of a "perfect" answer which may (or may not) ever come to fruition Pass the Text Amendment, as written, NOW!

Thank you.

Jim Devor

Please let your voice be heard at City Planning This WED. JUNE 4th 2008

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Hello from CORD

IMPORTANT DATE: TOMORROW WEDNESDAY JUNE 4th!

Wednesday June 4th 10 AM

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

22 Reade Street, Spector Hall

New York, N.Y. 10007

Tomorrow is THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY day for the ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT N080345ZRK! This zoning text amendment is the NEXT STEP in what has become a neighborhood-wide effort over the past year to begin to protect Carroll Gardens from out of scale, out of context development that will forever change our neighborhood as we know it!

Below you will find all the INFO you need about tomorrow's procedure. Remember, if you are too shy to speak, please come along, listen and show your support! Attendance is important.
We would like to fill the room at City Planning.

If you would prefer to submit written testimony you may print the form below off this blog, fill in the information, and mail to the address right above the form. Your written testimony should be submitted within a few days of the hearing.

We need to protect Carroll Gardens ONE STEP AT A TIME and this is the NEXT STEP. Without the Zoning Text Amendment we here in Carroll Gardens are TOTALLY UNPROTECTED from OVER DEVELOPMENT.

This is from the City Planning Website:

GENERAL INFORMATION

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Signing up to speak:

Anyone wishing to speak on any of the items listed under "Public

Hearing" in this Calendar, is requested to fill out a speaker's slip supplied at the staff desk

outside the hearing chambers on the day of the hearing. Speakers on each item will be

called in the order these slips are submitted, with the exception that public officials will

be allowed to speak first. If a large number of people wish to speak on a particular item,

statements will be taken alternating every 30 minutes between those speaking in support

of the proposal and those speaking in opposition.

Length of Testimony: In order to give others an opportunity to speak, all speakers are

asked to limit their remarks to three minutes.

Written Comments: If you intend to submit a written statement and/or other documents

please submit 20 sets of each.

Anyone wishing to present facts or to inform the Commission of their view on an item in

this calendar, but who cannot or does not wish to speak at the public hearing, may fill out

the form below and return it to the desk outside the hearing chambers or mail their written

comments to:

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

Calendar Information Office - Room 2E

22 Reade Street, New York, N.Y. 10007

(Extra copies of this form may be obtained in the Calendar Information Office at the

above address.)

Subject _______________________________________________________________

Date of Hearing _________________ Calendar No. _______

Borough _______________ Identification No.: ______________ CB No.: _______

Position: Opposed _______

In Favor _______

Comments:

________________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

Organization (if any) _______________________________________

Address _____________________ Title: ____________________

iii

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

________

22 Reade Street, New York, N.Y. 10007-1216

AMANDA M. BURDEN, FAICP, Chair

KENNETH J. KNUCKLES, Esq., Vice Chairman

ANGELA M. BATTAGLIA

IRWIN G. CANTOR, P.E.

ANGELA R. CAVALUZZI, R.A.

ALFRED C. CERULLO, III

BE TTY Y. CHEN

MARIA M. DEL TORO

RICHARD W. EADDY

NATHAN LEVENTHAL

SHIRLEY A. MCRAE

JOHN MEROLO

KAREN A. PHILLIPS, Commissioners

YVETTE V. GRUEL, Calendar Officer

The regular public meetings of the Commission shall be held twice monthly on Wednesday at

10:00a.m. in Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, Manhattan, unless otherwise ordered.

FOR TRAVELING DIRECTIONS by subway or bus you can use www.hopstop.com

On Wednesday there will be a public hearing at the City Planning Commission for the Zoning Text Amendment.

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:55:00 +0000

Hello from CORD:

This is a big week. On Wednesday there will be a public hearing at the City Planning Commission for the Zoning Text Amendment. We at CORD have worked with the CGNA, SoBNA, and other local groups for over year with your support to make this hearing possible. Both Community Board 6 and the Borough President have approved this amendment.

This is a very important moment and your attendance at this hearing will make a difference! Please come, and either read a statement, or simply listen and show your support with your presence.

We have published a great deal of testimony publicly here on our blog over the past two weeks if you needs any ideas. (Scroll down to read the words of your neighbors below.)

We are very thankful to Commissioner Amanda Burden and to the NYC Planning Commission for this unique opportunity to close an administrative loophole in order to protect Carroll Gardens. See you there!

For More Info on Protocol Please See
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/luproc/calendar.pdf

There is an option to write if you can not attend in person. Please see the link above for details.

Thank you!

CORD

City Planning Commission
Wednesday, June 4rth 10 AM @ Spector Hall
22 Reade Street
NY, NY
Re : Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment N 080345 ZRK

Former NYS Assemblyman AND 70 CG year resident speaks in support of Zoning Text Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (CORD) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:50:00 +0000

CORD hopes that reading the words of your neighbors through these testimonies each day serves to inspire you to participate in the next phase of the zoning amendment process.

On Wednesday morning, June 4th, the City Planning Commission will be holding their hearings regarding the Carroll Gardens zoning text amendment... we are one step closer to MAKING A CORRECTION that needs to be resolved once and for all----we are almost there....we will give you more details as the date approaches...

We will need your support. Perhaps, you will be willing to speak before the commission. Perhaps, you will choose to share your thoughts with the commission via a letter. Let your friends and neighbors words be your guide. Please do not be afraid to participate.

Listen to what your neighbors have to say, listen to how they feel about where we live and let your voice be heard as well. This is your chance to make change happen. Take it.

Link to Text Amendment Fact Sheet prepared by CORD and CGNA

PLEASE SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK! AT cgcord@gmail.com

CORD

5-7-2008

To: Marty Markowitz, Borough president, Brooklyn

Dear Sir:

Where did the WIDE STREET concept come from?

Pursuant to the laws of 1846 & 1850, (copies previously submitted),

the area of FRIST,SECOND,THIRD AND FOURTH PLACES,

Between Henry Street on the West, and Smith street on the east,

were created and mapped for residential development.

The streets, which were originally called CARRIAGE WAYS,

Were Established at only TWENTY-FOUR (24) FEET wide, no larger than any other street lying in a WEST to ESAT direction, in the immediate area of Carroll Gardens.

The laws further provided for THIRTEEN (13) FEET sidewalks on

each side of the CARRIAGE WAYS. The laws further provided for the building lines on each side of the SIDEWALKS be set back an additional THIRTY-THREE FEET, FIVE AND ONE QUARTER INCHES (33’ 5 ¼ “) to create an area to be designated as COURTYARDS only.

As residential buildings were developed, the COURTYARDS were to be used and controlled “exclusively by the adjoining landowner”. The COURTYARDS had restrictive covenants thereon, such as, building thereon was not permitted.

There is nothing stated in the laws of 1846 and 1850 that indicate these PLACE-BLOCKS were to be considered WIDE STREETS. In my 70 plus years I do not recall any PUBLIC REVIEW or any procedure resembling a ULURP procedure to declare them WIDE STREETS.

Since 1846 & 1850 until recently, there was never an issue of WIDE STREETS. It is only within the last couple of years, the BUILDING DEPARTMENT (or the Department of City Planning, in their “infinite wisdom” , ADMINISTRATIVELY, not as a result of any open community forum, and/or review, declared them WIDE STREETS. And, as a result, started to issue building permits to Developers permitting them to build up to SEVENTY (70) FEET in an area where existing buildings are only 45 to 50 feet.

As a result Developers are DESTROYING our neighborhood for profit, based on an “ADMINISTRATIVE LOOPHOLE” created by the Building Department and the Department of City Planning. It appears they are using the distance between the face of the buildings on the north side of the street to the face of the buildings on the south side of the street , amounting to ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN FEET (116’) TEN AND A HALH INCHES (10 ½ “) to classify it as a WIDE STREET.

They failed to take the STREET as it was originally planned is only TWENTY-FOUR FETT wide. Certainly NOT a WIDE STREET by any imagination.

So, I repeat, where did the WIDE STREET concept come from? It certainly did not come from the laws of 1846 & 1850, the laws that actually created these Streets (Places).

There is only one nswer:

The Building Department and/or The Department of City Planning ADMINISTRATIVELY made the decision to classify them as WIDE STREETS, in error of the mathematics above, to permit developers to build their “OUT OF CONTEXT” buildings and heights and destroy our neighborhood.

There is one on Fourth Place; One on Second Place; One on Third Place; and another one being planned on Third Place. Currently there is one being built on the corner of First Place, near the corner of Smith Street, and another being built on Second Place at the corner of Smith Street over the Carroll Street Subway Station. This one is unique; the address was originally promoted as 360 Smith Street, but the actual entrance to the residential building will be on Second Place. Since the Developer is using the WIDE STREET concept of Second Place, he recently changed the address to 131 Second Place.

This charade must be stopped.

I respectfully urge the Borough President to advise the Department of City Planning to expedite the reversal of the WIDE STREET concept to its original status as NARROW STREETS as it was originally intended. I further request that this procedure be accmplish4ed by ADMINISTRATIVE process rather than a lengthy public review which would only permit these developers to continue their destruction of our community.

Frank. J. Verderame

Former NYS Assemblyman

Cc: Copies of the Laws of 1846 & 1850

(previously submitted by mail)