Monthly Minutes for the year 2007
January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

Archived Monthly Minutes

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on April 12, 2007 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

Table of Content
Pledge of Allegiance
Public_Hearing
Public Portion
Councilman Domenic M Recchia Jr.
Minutes
Disposition_of_Public_Hearings
Homestretch Bar Liquor License Renewal
Councilman Simcha Felder
Nominating Committee
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
New Business
Attendance

Mr. Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 opened the meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance

Don Clark, a member of Community Board 11, had the honor of leading the Pledge.

Public Hearing 

BSA Calendar # 844-86-BZ
1828-136 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11223

The applicant seeks the following:

a)      Extend the existing term of a special permit for the enlargement of a 1-story building that encroaches into an open area required along a district boundary.

b)      Legalize the change of use from auto repair and manufacturing to billiard parlor to eating drinking establishment.

c)      Permit the addition of a mezzanine in the proposed eating drinking establishment.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter.

Hearing none, a motion was made by Leone Demolfetto to close the public hearing.  Seconded by Frank Segreto.  Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion

Christopher Aegis, a Bensonhurst resident, spoke regarding a program called City at Peace.  The program is a performing arts advocacy and activism consisting of diverse groups of youth from all over the City.  The group will be performing a musical this coming May and informational flyers are available.

Terry Brandon, representing the Bay Ridge Community Service Center, announced the Safe Streets Program, which is a grant services program for the elderly sponsored by the Department for the Aging.  The program provides senior citizens with crime prevention education and assistance for the elderly who have been victimized. 

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman Colton, advised that the Department of Sanitation would be holding a meeting about the proposed Southwest Brooklyn Marine Transfer Station on Monday, April 16 at the Shore Parkway Jewish Center at 6:30 PM  Ms. Placanica urged everyone to attend and speak on the matter.

Police Officer Steve Agosta, of the 62^nd Precinct Community Affairs Unit announced that the Brooklyn South Showcase hosted by Chief Fox will be held on Sunday, April 22^nd at Prospect Park and 15^th Street from 10 AM-5PM.

Councilman Domenic M Recchia Jr.

Councilman Recchia advised that the Department of Sanitation would be holding a meeting this Monday evening regarding the Southwest Marine Transfer Station.  The Councilman advised that the permit applications are now under review by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 

The Councilman advised that he voted against the Marine Transfer Station, which was vetoed by the Mayor. In the event that the MTS is built, an agreement was reached regarding the implementation of a task force, which will consist of four mayoral appointees, three councilmanic and one appointee of the Borough President to monitor traffic issues and other related issues.

Councilman Recchia asked that anyone interested in serving on the task force submit a letter to his office by May 1^st.

Councilman Recchia advised that he and Council Members Felder, Fidler and Gentile introduced bills before the Council regarding the issuance of Sanitation summonses.

Councilman Recchia wished Howard Feuer a speedy recovery from his back surgery.

The Councilman announced that there is a new swimming program for children ages seven through ten at Lincoln High School on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Minutes

A motion was made by Louisa Verito to accept the minutes of the March 8, 2007 meeting.  Seconded by Mafalda DiMango.  Unanimously adopted.

Disposition of Public Hearing

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, reported that in 1987, a special permit was granted to allow the expansion of the existing building that encroaches into open area required along a district boundary at the rear of the property. At that time, the entire use of the building was for an auto repair facility. In 1993, the Board amended the use of part of the premises to allow for a custom clothing manufacturer. For whatever reason, the special permit was not renewed when it expired in 1997, and this lapse was picked up in planning for the current modification.  The Committee is recommending approval.

In 1993, the Board of Standards and Appeals amended the previous resolution to allow the use of the smaller part of the building from an auto repair facility to a custom clothing manufacturing operation. In 2002, the Department of Buildings issued a final Certificate of Occupancy on the larger portion of the building permitting a change in use to a billiard parlor. However, this application was mistakenly not referred to the Board of Standards and Appeals. Accordingly, the application is requesting the legalization of this space as a billiard parlor.

Inspection of the premises revealed a rather bright, clean and airy parlor, in no way reminiscent of the seedy parlors of the past. Furthermore, in the five (5) years it has been in operation, there have been no complaints lodged with CB-11.  Accordingly, the committee is recommending the legalization of the use of the premises as a billiard parlor.  

Regarding the application to convert the use of the smaller section from a custom clothing manufacturer to an eating and drinking establishment, the tenant confirmed that this will be a bar/lounge with some food service, in order to supplement his clientele from the billiard parlor. This may be the most contentious part of the application; however, the following should be noted:

The façade facing McDonald Avenue is on a completely commercial block overshadowed by the elevated trains. Furthermore, the sides and rear of the building have no windows or doors. Accordingly, any music coming from the bar/lounge would not affect any neighboring buildings.

The only opening to be made will be the addition of an exhaust system for the lounge. Requirements that the noise from the exhaust system be within established limits and with that condition, approval of this conversion of use is recommended.

Assuming approval, the tenant will replace the existing roll gate with a glass double door similar to the larger portion and clean up all of the graffiti on the front brick façade.

Assuming that the above conversion of use is recommended, the applicant is requesting permission to construct a small mezzanine to the bar/lounge side of the building. This mezzanine would be similar to the one in the billiard parlor section and like the existing one, would serve as office space for the operation.

A motion was made by Don Clark to approve the application as presented.  Seconded by Nick Miraglia.  Unanimously adopted.

Homestretch Bar Liquor License Renewal

The Chairman advised that notification has been received from the Homestretch Bar located at 214 Kings Highway regarding the renewal of its liquor license. 

Lieutenant Dominick D’Orazio, from the 62^nd Precinct Special Operations Unit, advised that he is here representing Captain Sprague, and it is the Precinct’s recommendation that Homestretch Bar’s application be denied.

The Lieutenant stated that the Precinct’s decision is based upon the following:   dating back to 2004 there was a homicide in a social club located on West 7^th Street, which the owner of the Homestretch Bar was operating the night of the murder.   When investigators came, the owner was not cooperative with the investigation.  In 2005, members of the 62^nd Precinct received intelligence that drugs were being sold out of the Homestretch Bar.   A search warrant was obtained and executed, and arrests were made for heroin, cocaine and gambling devices.  In 2005 there were 12 additional drug related arrests within the Homestretch Bar.  In August 2006, a female was assaulted in the bar while the owner and manager were present.  No one called 911 and the management was uncooperative.

A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to deny the renewal application for the Homestretch Bar’s liquor license based upon the 62^nd Precinct’s recommendation.  Seconded by Don Clark.  Unanimously adopted.

Councilman Simcha Felder

Councilman Felder stated that it was an honor to work with Council Members Gentile and Recchia, as well as the Community Board on the issue of the unfair summonses being issued by the Department of Sanitation. 

The Councilman reiterated that at the Council vote on the Solid Waste Management Plan, which includes the proposed Southwest Brooklyn Marine Waste Transfer Station, he voted in the affirmative.  This was done for many reasons that included the adoption of a full Waste Management Plan and he has no regrets.

Nominating Committee

Mr. Guarinello appointed the following members to serve on the 2007/2008 Nominating Committee: Richard DiNapoli, Chairman, Bart Allegretti, Al Campanelli, and Dr. Joe Caruana.

The committee will present a slate of Officers for the 2007-2008 term at the May meeting.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman advised that the Borough President will be holding the 6^th Annual Assembly of Brooklyn Block Associations at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Monday, April 16^th from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.  There will be city agency representatives for information, and to discuss issues and concerns facing our blocks and communities.  Flyers are available to those interested.

Mr. Guarinello reported that the 62^nd Precinct Community Council will be meeting on Tuesday, April 17^th at the precinct located at 1925 Bath Avenue.

Mr. Guarinello announced that the Relay for Life would take place on June 16^th at the Fort Hamilton Athletic Field.  Flyers are available for those interested.

The Federation of Italian American Organizations has peer mentor positions available for the summer program for individuals 18 and older.  Applications are available this evening to those interested.

The Chairman sadly announced that Pvt. Miguel Marcial 3^rd, whose father is Police Office Miguel Marcial of the 62^nd Precinct, died after one month of duty in Iraq.  Mr. Guarinello extended condolences.

District Manager’s Report

Marnee Elias-Pavia, Assistant District Manager, presented Howard Feuer’s report in his absence.

Community Board 11 received an application for a 421-a partial tax exemption for 8799, 8803, 8805, 8807 Bay 16^th Street and 188, 192, 194, 198 Bay 17^th Street.  These properties, before the lots were subdivided, contained three residential buildings consisting of five units.  There are now eight buildings containing 24 units.  The developer’s application states that the properties were underutilized and economically obsolete.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to oppose the 421-a partial tax exemption for 8799, 8803, 8805, 8807 Bay 16^th Street and 188, 192, 194, 198 Bay 17^th Street.  Seconded by Man Wai Lau.  Unanimously adopted.

The Boy Scouts, Troop 20 Eagle Project will be holding an Emergency Preparedness Fair, which will be held on April 28^th from 12 PM – 5 PM at New Utrecht Reformed Church, located at 1828 83^rd Street.  The Fair is appropriate for children and there will be representatives from the Red Cross, NYPD and EMS.  In addition, the Fire Department will have their “smokehouse”, to demonstrate how to get out of a burning building.

Aviator Sports and Recreation Complex at Floyd Bennett Field, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, will be holding a free “Seniors in Shape” program.  The program will run for 8 weeks every Thursday from April 12^th through May 31^st.

The Department of Design and Construction has advised that Avenue U between

Stillwell Avenue and McDonald Avenue will be resurfaced.  The job will be performed by a milling contractor and will begin in mid-May.

New Business

Louisa Verito, Chair of the Health Social Services and Seniors Committee, reported that on March 28^th, Eileen LaRuffa attended a meeting at the Jewish Community House regarding a new program called the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.  This program covers a 19-block area consisting of 1,000 elderly residents according to the 2000 Census.  Services will include case management, health care management, and educational workshops. 

A motion was made by Bart Allegretti to adjourn.  Seconded by Mafalda DiMango.  Unanimously adopted.