Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Portion	Transportation Committee
Minutes	Attendance
Department of Building
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
Committee Reports

Public Portion

Walter Frezza advised that a new article has been published in the April 4^th edition of the Dailly News.  The article stated, “that big trucks using residential streets was re-rerouted yesterday for fine tuning.  Fed up with heavy trucks using their neighborhoods as shortcuts more than two dozen City Council members have sponsored a bill requiring truck drivers to carry certified maps of the city’s authorized truck routes.  They would also be required to have a destination routing sheet for each trip into the City.  The bill calls for a $250 fine for not having the map; and $100 for not having the route sheet.  Truck owners not drivers would be fined but action was put off yesterday until a truck route management study launched by City Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall is completed”.  Mr. Frezza asked that residents appeal to their Councilman to support this bill.

Judy Rosenblatt advised that the builder of 105 Kings Highway does not have a permit to work on Saturday.  He has been working every Saturday since February 5^th.  Ms Rosenblatt stated that the Department of Buildings has issued 2 violations and requested that the Board intervene in this matter. 

Mr. Guarinello advised that the Department of Buildings is present at tonight’s meeting and will address the issue.

Jose representing the Bay Parkway organized day laborers advised that he has literature available for anyone interested in employing the men.

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

Minutes

A motion was made by Leone Demolfetto to accept the minutes of March 13, 2003.  Seconded by Rosalee Manitta.  Unanimously adopted. 

Department of Buildings

The Chairman advised a presentation will be made by the Department of Buildings regarding 23 Avenue and 80 Street. 

Kenneth Lazar, Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison introduced Ron Livian, Deputy Commissioner of Technical Affairs and Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Susan Hinkson.

Howard Feuer, District Manager advised that 2276, 2278, 2280, 2282 23 Avenue has had permits issued for the construction of five, three family homes.  The permits have been revoked and then re-issued.  Residents have been concerned that this property which housed a one family home will now have multiple dwellings which is out of character for the surrounding area.

Mr. Feuer further advised that there are concerns regarding the issuing of permits for this project under the predominately built-up area classification. Community Board 11 and a plan examiner from the Department of Buildings believe that the plans filed do not meet the criteria for a predominately built-up area.  

Deputy Commissioner Livian explained that by using the predominately built-up area designation the applicant is able to utilize a higher Floor Area Ratio and a higher bulk requirement.  There are two tests used to determine a predominately built-up area.  The first requirement is that the lot must be less than 4 acres and more than 50% built-up.  The second requirement is that the lot was occupied by a one or two family detached or semi-detached building in 1987; as well as the homes on both sides of the street facing the lot. 

Mr. Livian advised that the applicant met the first criteria but since the applicant filed the entire lot under the predominately built-up area.  A ten day revocation notice was sent by the Department of Buildings and evidence was submitted by the applicant which supports a predominately built-up designation on 4 lots . One lot does not meet the criteria and will have to use the lower building requirements.

Commissioner Hinkson advised that she sent the ten day revocation and as of today has not received a response.  All permits have been revoked on all four buildings.  The Department will be reviewing this file and they will then make a further decision. 

Mr. Feuer thanked Commissioner Livian and Commissioner Hinkson for their presentation before the Board.

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence in honor of the men and women in the Armed Services who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Chairman appointed the following members to serve on the 2003/2004 Nominating Committee: 

                                                                     Victor Allegretti – Chairman
                                                                     Al Campanelli
                                                                     Dr. Joe Caruana
                                                                     Richard DiNapoli
                                                                     Joe DiSanto

Mr. Guarinello advised those Board Members whose term of Office expired on March 31, 2003 that the Borough President is in the process of making reappointments. 

District Manager’s Report

Howard Feuer reported that he attended a presentation and tour of the new 311 facility.  Mayor Bloomberg instituted the 311 phone number for all non-emergency complaints.  Mr. Feuer stated he is pleased with the program and our office will cooperate in any way possible.

Mr. Feuer advised that effective June 1^st the fines for several Sanitation code violations will double to $100.  These violations include: failure to sweep your sidewalk; failure to clean 18 inches into the gutter; and sidewalk obstructions.

Mr. Feuer advised that the Board received thank you letters from Borough President Markowitz and District Attorney Hynes, for the letters that the Board sent on their behalf to the Mayor requesting no further budget cuts.

The District Manager discussed the Building Department’s current procedure relating to the collection of building violations.  The Department of Buildings currently has no mechanism to collect monies other than to place a lien on the property.  The City then has to wait until the property is sold to collect monies. 

After discussion on the matter, a motion was made by Billy Cerbelli in support of the Department of Finance aggressively collecting monies owed the City by violations imposed by the Department of Buildings.  Seconded by Nicholas Miraglia.  Unanimously adopted. 

The District Manager advised that the Community Board received an application for a variance for a Genovese Drug Store at 2601 86 Street.  The application was forwarded to the Zoning Committee for review. 

Committee Reports 

Transportation Committee

Guy LaMonaca reported that on April 2^nd, he attended the Technical Advisory Committee Meeting for the Shore Parkway Greenway Project.  The purpose of this project is to create a Master Plan that will connect the five mile gap in the Shore Parkway Greenway. The purpose of the TAC is to provide opportunities for local community boards, community members, merchant associations, elected officials, and city officials to discuss and review the project.

The plan calls for pedestrian and bicycle paths along the greenway.  Mr. LaMonaca advised that the intersection of Bay Parkway and Shore Parkway, may be problematic.  The study is scheduled to be completed by June 2004, and further updates will be reported as received.

Mr. Guarinello thanked Mr. LaMonaca for representing the Board at the meeting.

Joe DiSanto made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Louisa Verito.  Unanimously adopted.