Friday, May 30, 2008



A patch of lilies,
Lilies of the valley,
To be precise.
In a side yard off Smith Street
Their fragrance is almost intoxicating.

In France, these beauties are called 'muguet'
On May 1st it is the custom to offer loved ones little bouquets of those sweet-scented, bell-shaped flowers in a gesture of friendship and in celebration of spring.

Can you imagine how much love and friendship
one could express with this patch?





Project Carroll Gardens Ancestors


Wonderful Carroll Gardens reader Frank sent me a nice email a while back. He had a great suggestion:

"Wouldn't it be nice to get the word out and post a few pictures of what this wonderful neighborhood was really like? I'm surer many residents have pictures of their parents, childhood as I have a priceless set of albums from my dad, ..........1930 to 2008 of family, friends and first place."


Well, I couldn't agree more. There have to be hundreds of pictures floating out there. I am hoping that many neighborhood residents who grew up here will take part and will send us pictures of themselves as children or of their ancestors. Especially wonderful would be photos with neighborhood houses or local streets in the background.

Together we could create quite an archive. So get going. Scan those old photos and send them to: pardonmeinbrooklyn at gmail dot com

(If you have no scanner, a digital camera can be used to re-photograph the picture.)


And here is the very first Ancestor:


May I present Vincent Spinelli?



The picture was sent to me by reader Frank who writes:


The picture is of my grandfather, Vincent Spinelli
and his son, Dominick circa 1930
Dominick succumbed to pneumonia, my mom said.
My grandfather was a boss on the docks
1883-1958

Well, it is awfully nice to meet you, Mr. Spinelli...




Thursday, May 29, 2008


Bob Levine, Chair of C.B.6 Land Use Committee

Councilman Bill DeBlasio

Purnima Kapur, Brooklyn Director of City Planning

Proposed Zoning Map


David Von Spreckelsen, of Toll Brothers


Another evening, another meeting....this time, it was the monthly gathering of the Community Board 6's Land Use Committee. On the agenda was New York City Planning's presentation of the rezoning framework for the Gowanus Canal.
Under discussion is the area between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens which is now zoned industrial. City Planning has broken the whole into five sub-areas and into different use-groups, including residential and retail use.

I don't know about you dear reader, but every time I go to a meeting dealing with the future of the Gowanus Canal, the debate comes back to the most important factor: the pollution from decades of environmental abuse. Without fail, the subject was brought up by members of the audience as well as by at least one Land-Use Committee member.

C.B.6 member Betty Stolz wanted to know if by rezoning some blocks to residential, New York City was actually accepting responsibility and saying that it was safe to live along the contaminated shores of the canal.
F.R.O.G.G. member Marlene Donnelly urged City Planning to study the D.E.P. report on the Gowanus Canal and to make the environmental process central and foremost to the rezoning.
Jean Austin from the Gowanus Conservancy, expressed her disappointment that there isn't a more concerted effort being made to mandate and to implement a green manufacturing district.
All very good questions. Without answers, it seems to me that we are putting the cart in front of the horse when it comes to the Gowanus rezoning.
On the way home, I asked Mr. Pardon Me if he would ever consider living right on the shores of the Gowanus Canal. "No way!" was his immediate response.
Exactly! Those of us who live close to the polluted waterway know that it is just too risky.
Because, honestly, what's the use of having a great apartment with views if you don't have your health...

Related Reading:

The Brownstone Cutters, Blue Stone Dealers and Lumber Yards Of The Gowanus Canal Circa 1875



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

A lion's head,
a fountain and some lovely flowers
Against a weathered stuccoed wall.

If I had traveled to Tuscany
I would have told you, dear reader.

Instead, I walked down Bond Street, you see
And there, in one small corner,
It almost looked like Tuscany.

Oh yes, one can be in Brooklyn, but far away all the same.






In the last two weeks, postings on the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association List Server have needlessly confused and mis-interpreted the Zoning Text Amendment that has just been approved by Community Board 6, Borough President Marty Markowitz's office and which will be voted on by the Department of City Planning next week.
Carroll Gardens resident and Architect John Hatheway, who thoroughly understands New York City Zoning laws and has been volunteering countless hours of his time to close the Wide- Street loophole, has written an amazing step by step clarification. Here it is:


Judith Thompson posts some reasons why she thinks the Zoning Text amendment will be bad for Carroll Gardens. Unfortunately she misinterprets zoning laws and market forces and thereby invalidates most of her arguments. Let's take her points one by one:

1) Instead of closing a loophole the amendment will encourage high-rise development similar to what has occurred in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Sunset Park.
The high-rise development she cites is located in an "MX-8" Special Mixed Use District in the case of Wmsburg and Greenpoint. This area was rezoned in 2006 to promote higher, denser development to encourage continued mixed manufacturing, commercial and residential uses. To get technical, where MX-8 is mapped in conjunction with an R6 district buildings are permitted to be 110 feet high! Other areas permit greater height. In Sunset Park and parts of Park Slope, the high-rise development is in an area that was recently changed from R6 to R8A zoning, which now permits buildings 120 feet high and with a 6.02 FAR. The high-rise development that Judith cites has occurred in RE-ZONED districts where the city wanted to encourage high-rise development. THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CARROLL GARDENS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL REMAIN AN R6 DISTRICT UNDER THIS TEXT AMENDMENT.

2) "A developer would now be encouraged by the text amendment to build high rise towers in order to obtain the 2.43 FAR instead of the 2.2 FAR."
The 2.43 FAR Judith refers to is available under "height-factor" zoning, but is only attainable with a 13 story building. Building a 13-story building on a standard lot, or even a pair of lots, is virtually impossible with elevator and emergency stair requirements. And it is certainly not attainable by someone who wants to renovate and add on to their house. (On larger plots of land like the old ILA site and the Luquer Street site that has a new building being erected, tall buildings are possible, but no such large lots exist in the areas affected by this text amendment. To get technical, height factor zoning works on a sliding scale, as follows (for our R6 district): 4 stories = 1.85 FAR; 5 st = 2.02 FAR; 6 st = 2.14; 7 st = 2.23 (the same as Quality Housing gives on a narrow street); 8 st = 2.30 FAR, and so on. Open space requirements increase as a building gets taller, so floors get smaller and less efficient.
If developers were encouraged to build tall on narrow streets, they'd already being doing it on the other streets in Carroll Gardens, and nothing will change there under this text amendment.

3) "The text amendment takes away homeowner rights to make small expansions while at the same time creating an inducement for big developers like Rattner, Toll Brothers and Related to build high rise towers."
Until 1987, when the Quality Housing Program was enacted, home owners only had height-factor zoning to calculate whether they could add on to their house. Under the Quality Housing Program, even on narrow streets, home owners still get to build more than they could have prior to 1987. The reason developers are only building on the Place blocks in Carroll Gardens is because they are currently labeled "wide" streets and get an even greater floor area bonus. BUT the result is the out-of-scale, non-contextual development we see on 2nd and 3rd Places, in particular. THE CURRENT "WIDE" STREET DESIGNATION IS THE INDUCEMENT FOR BIG DEVELOPERS! This is why CGNA and City Planning have proposed this text amendment.

4) "The higher 3.0 FAR reward is what induced Claret to decide to build Quality Housing at the International Long Shoremen site. There is no overall height limitation for Height Factor buildings. If the 3.0 FAR reward were not available to Claret, they could have built a 20 story tower on such a large footprint."
First, Long Island College Hospital deserves credit for selecting a developer that was committed to developing the site under Quality Housing provisions. They had higher offers from people that intended to build high-rise developments.
Second, since Court Street is truly a wide street, the 3.0 FAR is entirely appropriate as envisioned by the city planners when Quality Housing was adopted. And it worked as the planners might have hoped, in encouraging a more contextually appropriate building. Judith is right that IF A LARGE SITE IS ASSEMBLED a tall building could be erected, BUT that exact same option is available to them today.
Third, 100 Luquer Street is being developed under height-factor zoning, NOT Quality Housing, even though it is located on a wide street (Hamilton Avenue.) The building will be 11 stories tall and is being built upon vacant land, a very different condition from the Place blocks.

In conclusion, the Zoning Text amendment is only likely to affect the actions of large developers, and it will have the effect of discouraging them from developing in ways that are not respectful of our neighborhood. Despite her protestations, it seems that Judith is more concerned about keeping the unintended benefits for big developers than she is about preserving the character of our neighborhood.

Respectfully,

John Hatheway
Architect



Related Posts:


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking


Cute, right?
This little fellow is lucky! He is being adopted by my niece Julia, who has been looking for the right dog on Petfinder for, oh....the last three years. She just graduated from college and has finally found her perfect canine match, a little three year old male chihuahua/ mini-pincher mix. He weights about 6 pounds.
As I am writing this, he is being transported from Illinois to Maryland to meet Julia, who is super excited, of course.

The only problem? The pooch's name is "Midnight Sun". Need I say more?
There has to be a more fitting name out there. Do you want to help rename him?
Please, help us out and send in suggestions. (Mine was Brutus, but it did not fly.)
This tiny fellow is expected to arrive at his new home on June 11th. I'll keep you posted...

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Tom Gray and Jillian Waldman of Bill De Blasio's office

Paul Nelson from Joan Millman's office

Leroy Branch, Community Board 6


Jim Mamary





It is clear that residents of Hoyt Street do not want restaurateur Jim Mamary's proposed Oyster Bar at number 299-301. Their very logical reason in opposing the new business? The proposed location is on a very narrow, short, residentially-zoned block. They have enough problems just getting a good night's sleep, what with the nightly noise emanating from Mamary's adjoining Black Mountain Wine Bar.

The lesson at the public meeting organized by the Hoyt Street Alliance last night was this: The State Liquor Authority's process of issuing liquor licenses is deeply flawed. To make matters worse, Community Board 6 is too pro-business and does not take an active enough role in monitoring where and how many liquor licenses are issued in the community.

Speaker after speaker at last night's meeting expressed frustration with S.L.A. but more importantly with Community Board 6 members who " mistreated, disrespected and vilified" the residents who appeared in front of C.B.6 to speak against the bar. Mentioning that their concerns were never fully heard, members of the Hoyt Street Alliance organized this public meeting. In attendance were representatives from Councilman Bill DeBlasio's office, State Assembly Woman Joan Millman's office, Senator Marty Connor's office and Leroy Branch from Community Board 6. The testimonies were taped and will be sent to the State Liquor Authority.

Sitting quietly off to the side and listening carefully was Jim Mamary himself. Except for one resident who spoke in favor of the bar, all speakers were opposed to it.

To lend support, neighbors of Union Hall in Park Slope, the highly controversial bar that has provoked so much anger, spoke of the fact that once a liquor license is issued for an address, it is virtually impossible to have it revoked "even if it is a misery trip for the neighbors."

The members of the Hoyt Street Alliance are a force to be reckoned with. Well spoken and passionate about preserving the peace and quiet on their residential block, they might finally shame C.B.6 into taking a closer look at the liquor license applications that pass before it, but most importantly, listen to the residents who are most affected by the bars that have been proliferating in our neighborhood.

Related reading:

Community "Business" Board 6 Sticks It To Hoyt & Bond Residents

Interesting Viewpoint On The Subject Of C.B.6 And Liquor Licenses

Zoning Unimportant In Carroll Gardens!

Neighbors Need Help Fighting Hoyt Street Bar





Street advice of the day:

You better tell the truth, homie!

At corner of Smith and Bergen Streets.









'More Vision, Less Prison'



Brooklyn House Of Detention Community Shareholders' Group invites you to a Community forum on the future of the Brooklyn Jail at Atlantic Avenue which has been closed since 2003. The " Brooklyn Jail Forum" will focus on alternatives to the Department of Corrections' plan to reopen the jail and to double the inmate population.

Thursday May 29th
7 Pm
at the Belarusian Church
corner of Atlantic and Bond







Amongst all of the sleeker boutiques and restaurants on Court, Winn Discount stands out in its bazaar like appearance. Brooms, trash cans, fake flowers and b.b.q. grills...whatever you are in the market for, Winn has it. And I am just talking about the merchandise displayed on the sidewalk. Enter the store, and more good stuff is waiting for you. The shelves are loaded to capacity. Is there anything one can't find at Winn's?



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Tuesday, May 27, 2008







A gas station,

Three guys
And a long pole thingy
To change the price with.
On Fourth Avenue.







Dear Smith Street Resident,


I hope you like your new "Fagerlit" shelving unit from Ikea. Was it easy to assemble? The instructions seemed a bit confusing. How does it look in the apartment? I guess you couldn't wait for the Red Hook store to open and had to schlepp all the way to Jersey.
May I suggest though, that next time, you dispose of the cardboard properly instead of leaving it right in the middle of the sidewalk where everyone has to stumble over it? This city does recycle, you know.


Related reading:

Residents Wondering What Impact Ikea Will Have On Surrounding Neighborhoods



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking
(photo credit: Jim In Times Square on Flickr)







Look what I found! Old ads of businesses that once operated on the Gowanus Canal. There were brownstone cutters, blue stone dealers and lumber yards.
Aren't they incredibly cool?

The ads are from 1878.


And talking about the Gowanus Canal, there is an important Community Board 6 Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting on May 29th. It is an update and presentation by representatives for the Department of City Planning on the next phase of the Gowanus Land Use Framework planning being developed by the department.

May 29th
P.S 32 Auditorium
317 Hoyt Street (at Union/Hoyt Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
6:00 PM

Monday, May 26, 2008





Could you imagine, dear reader,

Someone back in the 1950's
Sending this postcard from Coney Island?
And what do you suppose,
The receiver's first thought was upon laying eyes on it?


And what, prey tell, does one write on such a card?

Dear Mom and Pop,
Having a blast in Coney Island.
Wish you were here.
Brooklyn is the best!



















Do you know, dear reader, what makes me happy?
A tiny little garden that blooms faithfully every spring and summer.
The Iris, the Columbine, the Coral Bell and I have been friends for many years now.
I treat them well, you see, in this tiny spot we share.
And they have stayed, along with others which will come and join us here.
The Rose, the Honeysuckle and the Russian Sage are expected soon.
Together, we entertain.
Yesterday, this dove stopped by for a little visit.



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Friday, May 23, 2008



A NEW BAR IS PLANNED FOR 299-301 HOYT STREET

--

    THE HOYT STREET ALLIANCE

invites you to join us at a special community meeting,

co-sponsored by

Councilman Bill de Blasio

Wednesday, May 28,

P.S. 32 auditorium, 7—9 p.m.

This is your chance to voice your concerns and hear what your neighbors have to say. Use this opportunity to make your concerns known!



Above is a meeting announcement from the Hoyt Street Alliance. The residents of Hoyt Street have been fighting a proposed oyster bar at
# 299-301, right next door to the Black Mountain Wine Bar. The location is on a stretch of Hoyt that is zoned residential and neighbors have argued that no liquor license should be granted to the establishment.
Unfortunately, Community Board 6 chose not to listen to residents
who argue that a second bar on this stretch of Hoyt street would have too much of an impact on their lives. Instead, C.B.6 voted to recommend the issuance of the license.
On Wednesday, the community will have a chance to weigh in at a special meeting.



Related reading:


Community "Business" Board 6 Sticks It To Hoyt & Bond Residents

Interesting Viewpoint On The Subject Of C.B.6 And Liquor Licenses

Zoning Unimportant In Carroll Gardens!

Neighbors Need Help Fighting Hoyt Street Bar




For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking



Breaking news!


Borough President Marty Markowitz approved the Carroll Gardens Wide Street Text Amendment yesterday without revision. In a 10 page document, Markowitz brought the neighborhood a step closer towards protecting it from out-of-context development.
This Text Amendment is intended to correct a mistake in the definition of Carroll
Garden's signature garden blocks as wide streets. Wide streets are allowed larger buildings which jeopardize the scale and character of the neighborhood. Developers have taken advantage of this loophole and are breaking up the historic row house street scape.

Community Board Six already voted to approve the Amendment on May 15th.
Now it goes back to the City Planning Department and then to the City Council.

A dedicated group of neighborhood residents has been tirelessly working on bringing this to the attention of the city and elected officials. I want to thank them for all their dedication and hard work. Lets hope City Planning and the Council will follow suit and do right by Carroll Gardens.

Related Posts:



Pardon me for asking, but is this what happens once the kids outgrow their strollers? They get to ride on the sidewalk in an electric car? I admit that there is a certain cuteness factor here, but really, isn't the sidewalk crowded enough as it is?





I have not often encountered an azalea like this!
Bright, bright pink
Perfectly shaped blooms
Cover this lovely specimen.

It belongs to my dear friends T & D, without whom Brooklyn
wouldn't merely feel so much like home.










Happy 125th Birthday,
Brooklyn Bridge!


Related reading:

Re-Unveiling Of The Brooklyn Bridge In 1945