Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on January 9, 2003 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Hearing	62nd Precinct
Public Portion	6206 20 Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204
Minutes	Chairman's Report
Borough Board	District Manager's
Moment of Silence	Other Matters
Community Emergency Response Team	Attendance
Planning & Zoning

Public Hearing

BSA Calendar # 342-02-BZ
CEQR No. 03-BSA-084K 13, 2002.
6206 20 Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204

The applicant seeks the following:

1. To obtain a special permit to legalize the enlargement of a non-conforming manufacturing use in a commercial and residential zoning district.

Mr. Guarinello opened the Public Hearing and inquired if anyone sought recognition on this matter. Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by Ella Nigro. Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion

The Chair inquired if anyone sought recognition.

Walter Frezza inquired about truck traffic on residential streets. The Chair advised that the Police Department is present and will give a report on this matter.

Mr. Guarinello inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Victor Allegretti to close the Public Portion of the meeting. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes

A motion was made by Pat Monachino to accept the minutes of December 12, 2003. Seconded by Al Campanelli. Man Wai Lau advised that under Committee reports the last sentence is missing the preposition “to”. The minutes were unanimously adopted as amended.

Borough Board

Mr. Guarinello advised that Barbara Parisi will be Community Board 11’s official representative at the Borough Board Meetings. The Chair thanked Ms. Parisi for representing the Board.

Moment of Silence

The Chair requested a moment of silence in memory of Billy Cerbelli’s wife Angie who passed away last Friday.

Community Emergency Response Team

Mr. Guarinello introduced Pat Condren and Lou Trimboli of the Community Emergency Response Team.

Patrick Condren addressed the Board regarding the Community Emergency Response Team. State Senator Marty Golden implemented a team of first responders in March, 2002 which consists of the 62 Precinct, 68 Precinct, Lutheran Hospital, Victory Hospital and Maimonides Hospital.

The focus of this program will be to identify via your groups, people that may have a skill or resource, which can be utilized by fire and police personnel in our area. The group is working with FEMA to develop a program that is based on the FEMA model in Los Angeles.

The group is seeking those who have medical skills, trade skills, multi-lingual skills, as well as people that are licensed to operate heavy equipment. Training will take place at Fort Hamilton Army Base. If anyone is interested that may contact Pat Condren at 718-491-1705.

Lou Trimboli, President of the 62 Precinct Community Council stated that Bensonhurst residents must participate in this program. The program needs people that speak Italian to act as interpreters. A seminar will be held in March, 2003, that will teach people how to survive a disaster. Information and literature is available.

Planning & Zoning

BSA Calendar # 342-02-BZ
CEQR No. 03-BSA-084K
6206 20 Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204

The applicant seeks the following:

1. To obtain a special permit to legalize the enlargement of a non-conforming manufacturing use in a commercial and residential zoning district.

Frank Segreto, the Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee reported that at 6206 20 Avenue, the building’s main floor is being utilized as a legalized non-conforming use for a power tool repair shop. The total facility is less than 2000 square feet and has been in operation for at least 12 years. The applicant is seeking to legalize 400 square feet of the rear portion. This is a completely closed facility and there are no environmental problems.

Mr. Segreto recommended the approval of this application since there were no objections from the Zoning Committee and Public on this matter.

A motion was made by Victor Allegretti to recommend the approval of a special permit to legalize the enlargement of a non-conforming manufacturing use in a commercial and residential zoning district. Seconded by Louisa Verito. Unanimously adopted.

62nd Precinct

Community Affairs Officer Kevin Cottingham advised that the 62 Precinct is aggressively enforcing the truck traffic laws. The precinct will continue to enforce the laws relating to trucks that travel off the designated truck routes.

Sanford Zwickler advised that there was a mugging in front of 2126 Benson Avenue and inquired if there has been an increase in muggings of senior citizens in this area. Officer Cottingham reported that there is extensive crime analysis with our district and if there was a pattern additional manpower would be delegated to this area.

Officer Cottingham advised that the 62 Precinct Community Council holds their monthly meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the stationhouse.

6206 20 Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204

Ella Nigro advised the Chair that due to a language barrier the gentleman next to her was not aware that he was able to speak during the Public Hearing for 6206 20 Avenue.

The Chair requested that the Board allow the gentleman to speak out of turn.

Mr. Colante advised that his parents own a small store next to 6206 20 Avenue and are against the legalization. The tool repair store maintains equipment and machinery on the side and rear of the premises which limits access.

Mr. Feuer advised that this application will now be forwarded to the Board of Standards and Appeals who will conduct an on-site to look at the existing conditions. If there are unsatisfactory conditions the Board of Standards and Appeals will place stipulations into the approval.

Mr. Guarinello advised that the recommendation report will include a stipulation that states the applicant must keep all machinery and equipment inside of the premises.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman reported that on January 7th, Mayor Bloomberg signed into Local Law the co-naming of Bay 8 Street between Cropsey Avenue and Bath Avenue to Firefighter Joseph A. “Joey” Mascali, Rescue 5 Avenue. Firefighter Mascali died on the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

The Borough President is seeking individuals who are interested in applying for community board membership. If anyone is interested in applying please contact the office for a membership application.

District Manager's Report

Howard Feuer, District Manager gave an update regarding the proposal to build five, three family homes, to replace an existing one family home on 23 Avenue and 80 Street. As of today, there has been only permit issued to build above ground. All other permits were revoked and the application is being reviewed by plan examiners at the Department of Buildings to ensure that all zoning requirements are in compliance.

The District Manager reported that Cablevision will begin construction throughout the district within the next few weeks. They are upgrading the equipment in order to bring Optimum Online and other new services into the community.

Mr. Feuer advised that during the last week in December the contractor working on the Bay 34 Street capital project opened a water valve which was defective. The valve was leaking and the contractor was fearful to close the valve due to its poor condition. The contractor has resolved the issue and water is no longer leaking on Bay Parkway and 86 Street.

The Department of Transportation has notified Community Board 11 that the Bridge Repair Unit is investigating the feasibility of installing a pigeon deterrent device at the underpass of Bay Parkway and Shore Parkway.

The Department of Transportation will be installing new traffic signals at the intersections of 78 Street and 15 Avenue, and 16 Avenue and 85 Street.

Mr. Feuer reported that Community Board 11 has just been notified that the Department of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Department of Design and Construction’s Capital Project BED-769 will begin replacing valves, regulators and water mains. The affected areas are 65 Street from 14 Avenue to 23 Avenue; 21 Avenue from 65 Street to Bay Ridge Parkway; Bay Ridge Parkway from 21 Avenue to Bay Parkway; and Bay Parkway from Bay Ridge Parkway to Cropsey Avenue.

Mr. Feuer reported that a Request for Proposal has been issued by the Parks Department for 1824 Shore Parkway, also known as the Nellie Bly Amusement Park area. Nellie Bly Park is owned by the City of New York but is leased and operated by the Romano family for the past 30 years. Mr. Feuer advised that due to several factors another RFP was issued on January 3rd, with a deadline at the end of January. Mr. Feuer hopes to have additional information on the status of the RFP by next months meeting.

Mr. Guarinello advised that due Senator Golden leaving City Office, the 43rd Council District is now vacant. The Chair urged people in that District to vote on February 24th.

Other Matters

Sanford Zwickler reported that he spoke to the Office of the Chairman of the Board at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Mr. Zwickler hopes that if a situation presents itself we can attract a similar business.

John Johnson representing Senator Marty Golden reported that the Senator can be reached at 718-238-6044 for any problems or concerns.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. Unanimously adopted.

Meeting adjourned