Apparently City Planning Commission Approved Toll Brothers Gowanus Development On February 17th

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden

(Pardon Me For Asking, but how come we did not hear about this sooner from our Community Board and our Councilman?)

Per an email I received last night from Kevin Parris, Land Use Coordinator for Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Toll Brothers mega project at 363-365 Bond Street has been approved without conditions.

Surprise? No! Land Use Chair Amanda Burden and her board seem to rubber stamp most everything that is put before them. They make a great show of listening to the community members who take time off from work and family to give testimony, but then they decide as they please anyway. Most probably, the decisions are foregone conclusions and an exercise in futility if one opposes a development as a New York City resident.

I suppose we should not feel as though our voices are the only ones being ignored. Our own Borough President's recommendations were not taken into account. Because you know, none of that matters to Ms. Burden and her fellow Board Members. They just do what Mayor Bloomberg wants them to do: rezone the entire city for even MORE development.


Below is the email from Kevin Parris which landed in my mailbox yesterday.



Hello,

Borough President Marty Markowitz has asked me to reply to your email regarding the proposal by Toll Brooklyn to develop 363-365 Bond Street. The borough president appreciates you taking the time to provide him with your comments. On November 19, 2008, the borough president conducted a public hearing on the Toll Brooklyn application. Prior to the hearing he also met with residents that presented a worthy alternative plan for the Bond Street site. Several dozen emails were also submitted to the borough president.

On December 17, 2008, the borough president submitted a report to the City Planning Commission and the City Council recommending approval with certain conditions; most notably, a reduction in the height of the project. The borough president’s recommendation also addresses other issues. This includes the need to strengthen the affordable housing commitment by Toll Brothers as well as the condition of the Bond Street sewer interceptor and issues of sewer backup and flooding experienced by neighboring residents. This recommendation was based on the borough president’s review of the Toll Brothers proposal; a review of the alternative plan; and, consideration of the oral and written testimonies received. A copy of his recommendation is attached.

On February 17, 2009, the City Planning Commission approved the Toll Brothers proposal without conditions; disapproving the borough president’s recommendations. The borough president is most appreciative of the time you took to share your views with him. He believes that his recommendation would have made for a better proposal, and he hopes the City Council will realize that it would serve the project best while at the same time addressing the concerns expressed by the community. Feel free to contact me if you have specific questions pertaining to the attached report. Thank you for sharing your concerns with the borough president. The subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises is expected to conduct its public hearing on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009.

Kevin Parris

Land Use Coordinator

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

209 Joralemon Street

Brooklyn, New York 11201

Related Reading:


Last Day To Comment On Toll Brothers' ULURP Application

CB6 Wants To Make Sure That Toll Brothers Don't Weasel Out Of Gowanus Affordable Housing Component

Toll Brothers Show Up With Usual Crew At City Planning Hearing

Will City Planning Actually Hear Community At Today's Toll Brothers' Gowanus Development Hearing?

Marty Markowitz Hears From Both Toll Brothers And From Residents

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Picture Of The Day: Visitor In My Back Yard

Well, good morning!

Looking out into the back yard, with my first cup of coffee,
I noticed a visitor in the grape arbor.
The turtle dove's partner was nearby.
Could this be the same couple
who built a nest in my arbor last year?

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New Baltic Street Building On Site Of Former Garage Taking Shape

This Kermit Green color is a primer paint, right?

(And when I say Kermit Green, I mean it. The photo doesn't quite capture the nature of this particular shade.)

But I have a terrible feeling that this is what the owner/developer has in mind for his future eating and drinking establishment at 269 Baltic Street.
Until recently, there were three one-story garages at this location.

Those poor homeowners next door.


Related Reading:

New Baltic Street Building On Site Of Former Garage Taking Shape

From Garage To Eating Establishment on Baltic?

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Con Ed Doesn't Want You To Park Here! Get it?

How many traffic cones and caution tape are needed to tell you:

Con Edison

doesn't want you to park here.

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Love Brooklyn? Proud To Be From Brooklyn? Why Not Show It!

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Picture Of The Day: Gowanus Hyphen Challenge

Written on the pavement
at First Street
along the Gowanus Canal.


Backing-up zone
or
Backing up-zone?

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State Senator Squadron Hosting A Community Convention To Discuss Pressing Issues

I just RSVP'ed my spot to this event. Hope you will attend as well. If you are interested, reserve yours at convention@danielsquadron.org. I wished more of our elected officials reached out to their constituents in the same fashion. Below is a message from Senator Squadron:

Dear Friend: At my swearing-in ceremony a few weeks ago, I announced that I will be hosting the first-ever 25th Senate District Community Convention in March. As part of my plan to make our state government more open and accessible than ever before, I am inviting constituents from all over my district to join me at this convention, on March 15th. At our convention, I will ask you to help me shape my priorities and strategies as I work hard for our district in this, my first year in office. (Please note that the community convention is rescheduled from the original March 1st date!) I hope you will bring your ideas, and your perspectives, on what our state government can do to improve our communities and step up more effectively to respond to these difficult times. I want your ideas on housing, on transportation, on the state budget, and on the myriad issues that we can take on to make New York a better place to live. If you would like to join us for the 25th Senate District Community Convention, please RSVP today to convention@danielsquadron.org. The convention will be on Sunday, March 15th, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), 199 Chambers Street (just west of Greenwich). Please RSVP today to convention@danielsquadron.org! I look forward to seeing you on March 15th. Best, Daniel Daniel Squadron State Senator 25th Senate District

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CB6 Land Use Committee To Discuss And Review E.I.S. for Proposed Gowanus Rezoning Tonight

Board 6 Land Use/ Landmark Committee is meeting tonight.
One item which will be discussed at the meeting is of particular interest to our community:
The board will be reviewing and discussing the proposed draft scope of work for an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Gowanus Rezoning.

The CB6 meeting will be held at:

Long Island College Hospital
339 Hicks Street (Conference Rms A+B)
(Atlantic Avenue & Hicks Street)
Brooklyn NY 11201
6:00 PM

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Gowanus Whole Foods: Public Comment Period Underway Without Notifying Public!

Photo Credit emceedowell on Flickr.

IMPORTANT: THIS JUST IN FROM F.R.O.G.G.

Whole Foods Gowanus plans are moving forward once again. This weekend we received written notice from NYCDEC wetlands division that the public comment period is underway for this project. The problem is that the comment period began on Feb 9th and notice to the community was not made until the 21st. The comment period is to close on March 6.

This application has been in the works for years now and in June 2007, FROGG sent a written request to NYSDEC Region 2 Wetlands Division asking that we be notified of the public comment period. For a while, we placed monthly calls to the division head, John Cryan, for status of this application. Now, two years into the process, we are given notice for public comment well after the comment period has begun.

Please contact John Cryan and ask that this comment period be reset with a time frame that will allow our organizations time to meet and formulate comments. We understood that this comment period was to run for 30 days, but the notice now states, 23 days from Feb 9.

Here is his contact information:

John F Cryan
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters
47-40 21ST St
Long Island City, NY 11101

(718)482-4997

r2dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Applicant:

Whole Foods Market Group Inc
125 Cambridge Park Dr
Medway, MA 02053

The applicant proposes to construct an approximately 77,000-square-foot footprint commercial building housing a supermarket, along with a total of 414 parking spaces, including a 3-level parking garage. landscaped shoreline promenade, replacement bulkhead sections and stone revetment, two new storm water outfalls, and associated paving, utilities, and landscaping, on an approximately 3-acre site located on the southwestern corner of Third Street and Third Avenue, on the Fourth Street Basin of the Gowanus Cabal, in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn

Facility:

Whole Foods Market Group - 3RD ST/3RD Ave
Third St and Third Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Application ID:

2-6103-00710/00001

Permit(s) Applied for:

Article 15 Title 5 Excavation & Fill in Navigable Waters
Article 25 Tidal Wetlands
Section 401 - Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification

Project is Located:

Brooklyn, Kings County

to view complete application, click HERE

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Love Brooklyn? Proud Of Brooklyn? Why Not Show It!

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Our Brooklyn Ancestors: Little Girl Standing On Stoop In The 1900's

I have decided, dear Reader,
to adopt this little Miss
from the 1900's
as an instant Brooklyn ancestor.
I do not know anything about her,
except that she had her photo taken
by Astoria Photo Studios
once upon a time.
I wish so very much
to know
what became of her.

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Picture Of The Day: Church Steeple On Court Street

By the time I had reached
Warren Street
my hands were frozen and
I barely was able to wrap my fingers
around my camera.
I jsut stopped long enough to snap the photo
and then continued along Court Street

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Westchester Couple Did Move To Carroll Gardens, Just Not To Smith Street

285 Smith Street Sold in February for $2,000,000

The Miles Did Move To Carroll Gardens, Just Not To Smith Street.

And They Love Their New Neighborhood!

Do you remember, dear Reader, the article in the Brooklyn Paper about the Westchester couple who sold their suburban home and bought a house on Smith Street?
In the spring of 2007, wishing to simplify their lives, Mimi and Jeff Miles sold their house in Croton-on-Hudson and purchased 285 Smith St. on the corner of Sackett Street in Carroll Gardens. It may have seemed like an unconventional move, but Mimi, who was born in Brooklyn, has deep affection for the borough.

Intending to remodel the Smith Street house before moving in, the Miles rented an apartment in the neighborhood. However, there were several design issues which needed to be addressed to make 285 Smith workable for the couple. When those could not be achieved, they decided to put the house back on the market. But they were determined to stay in Carroll Gardens.

Last fall, the Miles closed on a beautiful brownstone on one of the neighborhood's nicest blocks. I have had the great pleasure of meeting Jeff and Mimi. They are a lovely couple and a great addition to the neighborhood. It is evident that they have fallen in love with Carroll Gardens. In a short time, they have met many people, learned much about the neighborhood's history and have gotten involved in local issues.

And what of Number 285 Smith Street? The Miles sold the building just this month for a modest profit. Originally purchased for $1.65 Million, the sales price was
$2 Million. It has been bought by a young couple who intends to rent out the apartments and the store. In a slow market, it is worth noting that good properties are still selling and that buyers are convinced that houses on Smith Street continue to be worthwhile investments.



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Abadi Warehouse: Carroll Gardeners Finally Clued In On Demo

CB6 Public Safety/Environmental Protection Committee Meeting last night
Mr. Abadi's Lawyer

Perry Ferrara, demolition contractor

Michael Zukauskas of GEI Consultants ,
hired by National Grid

Carroll Gardeners finally received some information about the demolition of the Abadi warehouse at 455-458 Smith Street.
Last night, at Community Board 6's Public Safety/Environmental Protection
Committee meeting, Mr. Abadi's lawyer, his demolition contractor Perry Ferrara and Michael Zukauskas of GEI Consultants, a geotechnical consulting firm hired by National Grid, talked about the project and explained what has been done so far and what will happen next.

It seems that in the spring of 2008, asbestos was discovered in the roof of the warehouse. Before receiving a demolition permit from the Department of Buildings, this asbestos had to be abated. The work was completed in July 2008 and the asbestos removed from the site.

Currently, Mr. Ferrara explained, Phase 1 of the project is under way. This involves the removal of all of the structure above ground. The roof has been removed except for one small section. The exterior walls will be knocked down next, which is no more than a two day procedure.
Lastly, the floor slab will be taken up. The debris will be shipped out of the area on barges on the Gowanus canal.

Phase 2 will involve anything below ground and will be the responsiblity of Keyspan/ National Grid (the former Brooklyn Union Gas). The company once operated a gas manufacturing plant on the site. Over decades, dangerous toxins have leached into the ground and will need to be remediated . For this, they have hired GEI Consultants. As explained by Mr. Zukauskas, GEI's representative,
the work will present two problems: dust and vapors.
To keep dust from spreading as the soil is disturbed, the area will be wet down. The release of vapors will be constantly monitored. If they should escape, they will be contained by using a special foam which knocks them down. Work will be stopped until it is safe to continue. Foam spreading equipment will be on site.

Mr. Ferrara and Mr.Zukauskas promised to be more communicative. Last night, they agreed to inform the Community Board of all steps taken.

As for the stop work order that has been placed on the site? Mr. Ferrara stated that all points had been addressed and feels confident that the order will be lifted by Wednesday.

My opinion?
Carroll Gardeners should be extremely vigilant. The toxic brew underneath the warehouse is incredibly dangerous. It is in our best interest to stay involved, ask questions and press our officials to do the same.

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Picture Of The Day: Day Setting Over Carroll Gardens Beauty

The evening sun
was setting gently
over this brownstone beauty
on Union Street
in Carroll Gardens.

Have I ever told you,
dear Reader,
that this is one of my favorite houses
in the neighborhood?

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A Moment In Time: Freezing Tourists Staring Down At Atlantic Avenue

How I wish I knew
what these freezing tourists are thinking,
staring down at Atlantic Avenue
from the top level of the bus.

I imagine them saying:

"Look, Brooklynites!"

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Traffic Jam On The Belt Parkway...In 1964

And you thought traffic is bad these days! This is a shot of congestion at the Verrazano Bridge a day after its opening.
The caption to this super cool photo reads:

Thousands of cars clog the Belt Parkway on November 22, 1964, as they attempt to cross the Verrazano Narrows Bridge which opened November 21st. The cars are in the westbound lane moving inch by inch as they wait to cross from Brooklyn to Saten Island on the largest bridge in the world.

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Love Brooklyn? Proud Of Brooklyn? Why Not Show It!

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Picture Of The Day: Perfect Harmony On Third Street

Four differently-colored apartment buildings
create a perfectly harmonious stretch
on Third Street.

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Carroll Gardeners To Get Answers About Abati Building At CB6 Meeting Tonight

It appears that long before receiving a demolition permit by the Department of Buildings for his warehouse at 455-459 Smith Street, the owner, Mr. Abati, had allowed crews to dismantle his building, starting with the roof.
Situated next to the Public Place site, the earth underneath the Abati warehouse is equally toxic. Carroll Gardeners have long been suspicious of the goings-on at the site.
Last week, a Full Stop-Work Order has been issued by D.o.B. for ' Hazardous Conditions and Lack Of Public Protection.'
Hopefully, the neighborhood will be able to get some answers tonight.
According to Tom Gray, Councilman deBlasio's District Director:

"Perry Ferrara the man heading the Demo and Mr. Abadi's attorney have
agreed to attend the CB6 Public Safety/Environmental Protection
Committee meeting Monday evening to present their plans for resuming
work and the ongoing demo of the site. They will be prepared to answer
questions from the community."

So come out and let them know that they can't jeopardize our health!

Where: Public School 32 317 Hoyt Street Brooklyn NY
WHEN: Monday, February 23
AT: 6:30 PM

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Oh Look...Mezzanines! Open House At Scarano's "Satori"

340 Bond Street


What the sales brochure may have left out!

Open house at the Satori at 340 Bond Street? I couldn't resist. I needed to check it out. Designed by notorious 'Bad Boy' architect Robert Scarano, the building is described on its web site as follows:

The Satori located in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn, marks an awakening of the senses. A new building, fueled by nature and the simplicity it provides to create unique residences originated to enhance, not interfere with, life. It introduces a new living experience, utilizing the art of Japanese design, layering a multitude of textures and an original conceptional facade.

The apartments have been languishing on the market for quite a while. Even after some steep price cuts, only six out of the 34 units are in contract. They are currently priced from $385K to $795K.
Of course, the current economy has slowed sales everywhere, but the Satori has a few strikes against it, most notably its location as well as its use of mezzanine floors. A Scarano trademark, those mezzanines are labeled as storage areas in his blueprints, their square footage not added into the building’s total floor-to-area ratio. However, they turn the apartments into 'faux' duplexes.
When I questioned the Satori salesperson on site at the open house, he said:
"Those storage spaces can be converted into living spaces after the closing."
I guess, Scarano is still at it. But let me give you a tour:

The living rooms have great high ceilings, but..

the stairs connecting floors in the duplexes are dangerously steep. I actually slipped and barely was able to catch myself.

"Faux Duplexes"
What seems like an additional floor....

above the kitchens of some of the units....

is actually one of Scarano's signature mezzanines.

More mezzanines...

this one masquerading as a storage area...

complete with electric and telephone hook-up.

The placement of this sink in one of the bathrooms is awkward, to say the least. One has to press against the wall in order to center one's hands under the faucet.

Nothing beats the view of the 'lovely' Gowanus canal area from one of the windows facing Bond Street...
...except maybe the view of that 'other' Scarano building,
the one with the illegal two story addition at 333 Carroll Street, visible from the back of the Satori.

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