Monthly Minutes - December 2011

Public Hearings top

BSA Calendar # 442-42-BZ
2001-2011 Cropsey Avenue
Block 6442 Lot 5

The applicant seeks an amendment to a previously approved variance to convert the service building, with the removal of the service bays, to a convenience store.

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition on this matter. Hearing none, a motion was made by Antonio Troia to close the public hearing. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Public Portion top

Louise Martini, representing State Senator Martin Golden, announced that the Senator is hosting a Troop Drive and Toys for Tots. Those who wish to make a donation may do so at the District Office. She further advised that there would be a Christmas Tree lighting on December 13th, at Fort Hamilton Parkway and Bay Ridge Parkway.

Courtney Williams of Kinderstuff Day Care Centers advised that their day care center located at 7914 Bay Parkway offers daycare for children aged 2-6 years old.

Lou Powsner, a resident of Avenue P, spoke regarding the need for street paving on Avenue P, east of McDonald Avenue. He stated that it was in dire need of attention. He further discussed the need for an overhead hanging sign for Kings Highway at Bay Parkway.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Eileen LaRuffa to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Rosa Casella. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

A motion was made by Laurie Windsor to accept the minutes of the November 10, 2011 meeting. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Disposition Of Public Hearings top

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, gave a report regarding 2001-2011 Cropsey Avenue. He stated that the applicant is seeking an amendment to a previously approved variance to permit the enlargement of the accessory service building, the removal of the automotive repair bays and permit its conversion to an accessory convenience store. There will be no change in the position of the signage and there are no outstanding environmental concerns.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to approve the application as presented. Seconded by Matthew Bromme. Unanimously adopted.

Planning And Zoning Committee top

Frank Segreto, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, stated that an application was recently received from 1815-17 86th Street, requesting an extension of term of a variance permitting a high-speed auto laundry within a C1-2 zoning district.

Mr. Segreto recommended that since this car wash has been in operation since 1957, and there are no changes to the application, the public hearing should be waived and the application approved.

A motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to waive the subject public hearing and approve the extension of term. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

Chairman's Report top

William Guarinello thanked Paul DiSpirito, of Leoni's, for donating the holiday collation for tonight's meeting. The Chairman further thanked Cherry Hill Market for providing the desserts and sweets, and Maria Campanella for the ice cream sundaes.

The Chairman discussed the newly released report from New York State Health Department's Brooklyn Work Group, also known as the Berger Commission. He stated that the opening statement in this report was incendiary and stated that SUNY Downstate at the former Victory Memorial Hospital should never be permitted to open an emergency room. The report further stated that there is a glut of beds in Brooklyn that are underutilized. The Chairman stated that this is not the case in South Brooklyn, where he knows of no one admitted to a bed from the emergency room expeditiously.

Mr. Guarinello stated that this Board needs to take a stand on this matter and will be calling on our colleagues at Community Board 10 and our elected officials to fight for an emergency room at SUNY Downstate at Bay Ridge.

Assemblyman Peter Abbate top

Assemblyman Abbate stated that last week the Berger Commission made a presentation to the elected officials. They stated that everything is fine in south Brooklyn and they are focusing on merging and closing hospitals in northern Brooklyn.

The Assemblyman stated that the facility at SUNY Downstate is a state of the art urgi-center and urged the community to use it.

He further happily announced that the legislature has cut taxes. Beginning in January, anyone making between $40 -150,000 will see a reduction in their taxes by approximately $400. In addition, the MTA payroll tax will be eliminated for small businesses. He closed by wishing everyone happy holidays.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia provided the Board with a follow-up report regarding the rodents on New Utrecht Avenue in the vicinity of 79th Street. She advised that after last month's meeting, Don Clark, who is a professional exterminator and a member of the Sanitation and Environment committee, conducted a walkthrough of the area. They observed columns that were opened as part of the MTA D line rehab project, filled with water and garbage, rat burrows within the open columns, and litter and garbage bags on the sidewalk.

The District Manager advised that since that time the MTA has cleaned out and rewrapped the columns, and one that was particularly egregious has been restored. She has also requested additional corner litter baskets in the area.

She further reported that while onsite it was observed that along the New Utrecht Avenue commercial corridor street cleaning in some areas are 4-6 times per week and other areas only one time per week. There have been initial conversations with the Department of Sanitation and they have made a recommendation for sweeping both sides of New Utrecht Avenue from 86th Street to 61st Street, 6 days per week by reallocating existing resources and amending the street cleaning times. The proposal calls for sweeping the south side of New Utrecht Avenue from 86th Street to 61st Street from 6:30 AM-7:00 AM and the north side from 61st Street to 86th Street from 7:00 AM -7:30 AM.

A motion was made by Frank Segreto to support the change in street cleaning times for New Utrecht Avenue to facilitate 6 day per week cleaning. Seconded by Antonio Troia. Unanimously adopted.

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that we just received a report from Dr. Corrigan the NYC rat tsar, who has conducted an inspection of the area and has made initial recommendations. The first is that every open column must be cleaned and contain bait boxes and be serviced every 30 days or sooner if needed; and secondly, cooperation from the community regarding garbage and litter on the street. All private properties within a two block zone from 77th Street and 86th Street; from 16th Avenue east to 18th Avenue will be inspected within the next several weeks to identify and address issues that are contributing to rodents.

The District Manager thanked Andrew Olsen from the Mayor's Office for his assistance.

She further announced that the Department of Transportation has approved a new traffic signal for the intersection of 86th Street and Bay 22nd Street.

In closing, she advised that when there are two back-to-back holidays, the Department of Sanitation will collect recyclables after the second holiday.

A motion was made by Bart Allegretti to adjourn. Seconded by John Garvey. Unanimously adopted.

Meeting adjourned.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Ross Brady
• Matt Bromme
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Rosa Casella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Louis Crispiano
• Sal D'Alessio
• Claudio DeMeo
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Marc D'Ottavio
• Yoketing Eng
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• John Garvey
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Tim Law
• Vito Marangelli
• Vito Marinelli
• Al Milone
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Frank Segreto
• Antonio Troia
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Leonard Beninson
• Steve Chung
• Camillo Messina
• Barbara Parisi
• Robert Yee

Excused
• Gerald Bertuna
• Warren Chan
• Don Clark
• Tom Colasanto
• Eric DiNapoli
• Anthony Favale
• Nicholas Miraglia
• James Orlando
• Salvatore Rao
• Stanley Roher
• Sonia Valentin

Guests
• Jacob Adler - Councilman Greenfield
• Lily Wong - Borough President's Office
• Courtney Williams - KinderStuff
• Louise Martini - State Senator Golden
• Kenneth Lazar- Department of Buildings
• Al Fazio - Assemblyman Abbate
• Andrew Olsen - Mayor's CAU
• Lou Powsner
• Susan Hanyen - New Utrecht Church
• Celena Catten