Monthly Minutes for the year 2007
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Archived Monthly Minutes

Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting and Public Hearing
Held on February 08, 2007 at the
Holy Family Home, 1740 84th Street.

Table of Content
Award Presentation
Assemblyman Abbate
Public Hearings
Public Portion
Minutes
Disposition Of Public Hearing
Chairman's Report
District Manager's Report
Attendance

Mr. Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 opened the meeting of February 8, 2007.

The Chairman advised that he would be making an award presentation first due to the amount of Police Officers in attendance.

Award Presentation

Mr. Guarinello presented a plaque to Captain Frank Cangiarella, former Commanding Officer of the 62^nd Precinct in recognition of his service and commitment to making the Bensonhurst community a safer place to live and work.  Under his command, our neighborhood achieved historical crime reduction.  

Captain Cangiarella thanked Mr. Guarinello and the Board for recognizing his work during his tenure as Commanding Officer of the 62^nd Precinct.  He stated that it was a pleasure to work with the Board and the Bensonhurst community.

Captain John Sprague, the current Commanding Officer, thanked Captain Cangiarella for making his transition into the 62^nd Precinct smooth and effortless.  In addition, Captain Cangiarella has been readily available for any questions that may arise.

Captain Sprague introduced Captain James Brandt, the new Executive Officer of the 62^nd Precinct. 

The Captain reported that there has been a 25% reduction in crime from the same time last year,   although there has been a slight rise in robberies, by teenagers in packs.  He advised people to be aware and take notice of their surroundings.   

He also reported that in its continuing effort to make New York the safest City for its citizens,  the NYPD has established the “Gun Stop” program. If you know someone who is carrying, selling, or using handguns illegally you can help by placing an anonymous call. By calling 1-866 GUN-STOP (486-7867) anonymously you are eligible for a $1000.00 reward for any information you provide that leads to the arrest of anyone who possesses an illegal handgun. Remember you do not have to leave your name to participate.

Captain Sprague advised that a commercial bank robbery occurred today at Washington Mutual Bank.  The man passed a note stating that he had a gun, was wearing a very distinct blue jacket.  The Captain passed a picture of the jacket and asked anyone with information to contact the Police.

Assemblyman Abbate

Assemblyman Abbate thanked Captain Cangiarella and the Officers of the 62^nd Precinct for their performance.

The Assemblyman reported that last week the Governor presented the proposed budget and he has concerns with items relating to health care and education.  His concerns relate to the discussions the Governor and the Mayor are holding on the subject of equal funding for education.  The Assemblyman is concerned about the way the monies are going to be appropriated. 

The Assemblyman had concerns regarding health care reforms and the Governor’s proposal to freeze the amount of payment per patient per day that hospitals receive.  He stated that because operating costs rise there would be cutbacks in other services to compensate for the loss of patient payments.

Public Hearings

I.                    Potential Community Residence Site
355 Kings Highway,  Apts. 3A and 3B

Community Board 11 received formal notification of the interest and intent of the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC), in conjunction with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to establish a community residence for mentally retarded and developmentally disabled at the above address, as provided in Section 41:34 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

The program will provide housing, meals, recreation, day treatment/training, companionship and continuous supervision in a homelike environment staffed by professionals for five (5) mentally retarded adults.

Jerry Chiapetta, Chairman of the Site Selection Committee reported that AHRC plans to convert the two apartments into one for five mentally retarded adults.   Since the notices of public hearing were distributed, the Community Board did not receive any objections from area residences.

Susan Ferrante, a resident of West 3^rd Street stated that her property abuts 355 Kings Highway.  She stated that when the building was erected it was to be a seven-story building, half under the old zoning regulation, which was supposed to be used for community services.  Ms. Ferrante inquired if the community residence is approved, will the ground floor of the building be used as an occupational or recreational facility and not retail space. 

In addition, Ms. Ferrante inquired about who was going to supervise the residents and what type of occupational and recreational facilities will be used.

Mr. John Flagherty, representing AHRC, responded that this residential facility will serve five men, who are currently living in a residential facility, are employed or attending a day program.  They are high functioning and looking for a residence with no stairs. 

Mr. Flagherty advised that whenever a resident is home there would always be a staff member present, and this includes the overnight hours.  

Mr. Donato, an area resident, voiced his concerns regarding the height of the building and his fears over the type of people that would be living in the building.

A reporter from the Bay News inquired where the individuals are currently living and what factors were used to determine the reasoning to use one floor.

Mr. Flagherty responded that the individuals are currently living in a residential facility in the Windsor Terrace section of Brooklyn.  The bedrooms are on the second floor and as the residents are aging they anticipate, or are having difficulty climbing stairs.

Mary Placanica, representing Assemblyman Colton, inquired why 50-year-old people are having problems with stairs. 

Mr. Flagherty responded that aging in the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled is a major issue and that problems arise much earlier for this group than others.  The step issue is being addressed now rather than wait for problems to arise.

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

II.                 BSA Application # 1-07-BZ
1792 West 11th Street
Block 6645  Lot 46

The applicant seeks a special permit to allow the enlargement of a single-family residence in a R4-1 zoning district.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on the matter.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Frank Segreto to close the Public Hearing.  Seconded by Mafalda DiMango.  Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion

Susan Ferrante, a resident of West 3 Street, spoke regarding 355 Kings Highway.  She inquired as to what was going to be placed on the ground floor of the building.  Ms. Ferrante heard that the owner was looking to rent it out as retail space and she thought it could only be used as a community facility.

Mr. Feuer advised that we researched this issue and found filings approved by the Buildings Department for the first floor to be commercially utilized. 

Theresa Maresca, a resident of 85^th and 16^th Avenue advised that she has received two tickets in the last two weeks for littering.  Ms. Maresca advised that she constantly cleans and is an environmentalist. 

Alice Wong, representing the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, reminded Board Members whose terms are about to expire to submit their applications for reappointment. 

Ilan Kayetsky, the Brooklyn Liaison for Congressman Nadler, advised that the Congressman wrote to the Commissioner of DEC regarding the proposed Marine Transfer Station.  The Congressman requested that measures be taken to ensure that the waters be tested before they proceed.

Natalie Zincola, a resident from Community Board 12, advised that she represents the Neighbors for the Preservation of 60^th Street.  She advised that the owners of 2084 60^th Street applied for and received an interior demolition permit.  They instead demolished the whole building and are now applying for a variance for a 44-foot high building, lot-line to lot-line.  There are open violations on this property.

Mr. Guarinello interjected to say that this building does not fall into the confines of Community Board 11 and we will therefore take no position on this matter.

Mr. Joe Oliva a resident of 61 Street stated that he found asbestos at 2084 60^th Street, which he reported to the Department of Environmental Protection, and they confirmed his findings.  He fears for the health of the area residents and requested that Community Board 11 help in this matter since this property falls on the district boundaries.

Kelly Steier, representing Councilman Vincent Gentile, advised that she has informational pamphlets for those that are interested.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition.  Hearing none, a motion was made by Billy Cerbelli to close the public portion of the meeting.  Seconded by Frank Naccaratto.  Unanimously adopted.

Minutes

A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to accept the minutes of the January 11, 2007 meeting.  Seconded by Tony Troia.  Unanimously adopted.

Disposition of Public Hearings

I.                    355 Kings Highway
Apts. 3A and 3B

Jerry Chiapetta, Chairman of the Site Selection Committee advised that according to the Padavan Law the Community Board has 40 days to make a recommendation.  The only options that are available are to approve the site, suggest an alternative site, or object because the area is oversaturated.  It is up to the community to prove that a group home should not be built because there is already such a concentration of sites that a new one would alter the character and nature of the community.

Mr. Chiapetta recommended that the proposed community residence for 5 mentally retarded and developmentally disabled adults at 355 Kings Highway be approved pursuant to the Padavan Law.

A motion was made by Louisa Verito to approve the community residence at 355 Kings Highway as presented.  Seconded by Mafalda DiMango.  Unanimously adopted.

II.                  BSA Calendar # 1-07-BZ
1792 West 11 Street

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee reported that there was no objections to the granting of a special permit.  He further advised that he reviewed the application and visited the premises with the applicant’s attorney.  The homeowners are proposing an extension in the rear of the house, which will not alter the character of the surrounding area. 

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to approve the special permit for 1792 West 11^th Street as presented.  Seconded by Jerry Bertuna.  Unanimously adopted.

Chairman’s Report

Mr. Guarinello responded to the matter presented at the public portion of the meeting regarding the issues at 2084 60^th Street.  He once again stated that this property does not fall into the confines of Community Board 11 and we will therefore take no position on the matter. 

The Chairman advised that we have received the agency responses to Community Board 11’s capital Budget Priorities and Requests for Fiscal Year 2008.

Mr. Guarinello announced that the New York City Department of Education Community and Citywide Education Council Candidate applications are available for parents who are interested in applying.

District Manager’s Report

Mr. Howard Feuer advised that he has discussed with Councilman Gentile the issue of down zoning the rest of Bensonhurst. 

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to call on City Planning to initiate a study in the remaining areas of Bensonhurst to determine the percentage of homes in compliance to establish the need for rezoning. Seconded by Frank  Segreto.   Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager discussed the matter of dirty area tickets that are being issued within our district.  Tickets can and are being issued by the Department of Sanitation, for as little as five pieces of paper that is visible anywhere on the property.  These tickets are being written 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to residents that have blowing wrappers caught in their hedges and front yards outside of their routing time.

Mr. Feuer felt that this was unfair and uncontrollable and residents should not be fined for a “Dirty Area” based upon the criteria as set forth by the Department of Sanitation.  In addition Assemblyman Abbate has received numerous complaints at his office and agrees that this matter needs to be addressed.  

A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to call upon the Department of Sanitation to institute a moratorium on the issuance of Dirty Area summonses outside of the residential routing time until a study is conducted by the Department to determine the resulting effects on the residents.   Seconded by Louisa Verito.  Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager advised that there will be no garbage, recycling or street cleaning on Monday, February 12^th, in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday.   Those who normally receive Monday recycling collection will not have their recycling picked-up until Tuesday, February 20^th.

Mr. Feuer announced that the 62nd Precinct Community Council will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 20^th at 7:30 PM, at the 62^nd Precinct.

A motion was made by Tony Troia to adjourn.  Seconded by Mafalda DiMango.  Unanimously adopted. 

Meeting adjourned.