I applaud the school for understanding the community’s concerns and deciding not to proceed with their proposed expansion. Their plan would have set a dangerous precedent. The courtyards are an integral part of Carroll Garden’s charm and character and must be protected. I remain committed to identifying a potential solution which will meet the needs of both the community and the school.
State Assemblywoman Joan Millman
Out-going Councilman Bill De Blasio was more than willing to help out. Without community input, he intended to introduce a bill which would have altered the old law to exempt the courtyard on First Place at Smith Street, thereby paving the way for Hannah Senesh to then buy the city-owned land.
When this became known, Carroll Gardens activists organized, collected signatures and encouraged the community to send letters to elected officials. The prevalent feeling in Carroll Gardens was that no exceptions should be made and that the courtyards are such an integral part and unique feature of this neighborhood that everyone of them needs to be protected.
It is wonderful to hear that State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Councilman Brad Lander felt the same way. Daniel Squadron was the first to issue a statement against the courtyard extention.
It is not clear yet how the school intends to proceed. What is clear is that Hannah Senesh willingly agreed to buy a building that had VERY LIMITED POSSIBILITY TO EXPAND and signed an agreement that places a meriad number of restrictions on the building. (click here to see Acris site page 6 onward.)
The Hannah Senesh School shares the same building lot as developer Bill Stein's 360 Smith Street project . When Stein sold the property to Hannah Senesh Day School, he kept the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for himself and transferred it to his 360 Smith Street development to get extra height. He also used the school's Community Facility Bonus and used that to bulk up his building as well.
Also attached to the sales agreement between Bill Stein and Hannah Senesh Day School is a clause that would give Bill Stein half of any F.A.R. gained by an up-zoning of the lot.
What is also of concern is that Hannah Senesh has been unable so far to secure a permanent Certificate Of Occupancy for the building.
Moving forward, it may be more advantageous to the school to ditch lobbyist Ken Fisher, sit down with the community and be more forthcoming about its needs.
342 Smith Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231
sent and emailed February 19, 2010
Dear Hannah Senesh Neighbors,
We are some of the people who live on the blocks that surround your school. Some of us have been here for generations. Some are more recent transplants. What we all share is a deep affection and appreciation for this place which we call home.
When you opened your doors in September, 2007, your school community quickly revealed itself to be a very welcome presence and happy addition to our Carroll Gardens neighborhood. We were and are delighted to have you here.
Back in December of 2009, you held a meeting at your school and had your attorney address a small group of neighbors regarding your plans to expand. Although pleased with your success, we expressed our disapproval for your plan which called for your expansion to take place upon a publicly owned area, the courtyard located on the corner of First Place and Smith Street.
As we are sure you are aware of by now, the courtyard area is protected by Old Brooklyn Law. This law, which has served this community very well for over one hundred and sixty years, prohibits, among other things, construction of any type upon it.
Carroll Gardens is defined by its signature Place Blocks’, deep set front yards. This community has, over the last several years taken many painstaking steps to protect our neighborhood from the types of over development which has marred much of New York City and to our great dismay, parts of Carroll Gardens as well.
The residents of Carroll Gardens have and continue to work long and hard to preserve and protect this neighborhood from losing its historic architectural flavor, relevance and human scale presence in the midst of this great city. We believe that these qualities are a great part of what makes our neighborhood both desirable and special.
As we hope you have noticed by now, we Carroll Gardeners have passionate pride and deep heartfelt love for our neighborhood. We wish that you and your students will become as deeply appreciative and caring for Carroll Gardens as we are, as this is your community now too.
Your intention to proceed with plans that must include a change to our single most powerful protection is simply unacceptable.
Although we know our local elected officials have asked to meet with you to discuss your plans, we understand that you have refused to do so at this time.
We implore you to meet directly with us. Let’s sit down and have a frank and honest discussion about your needs, your plans and what you see as the future of the Hannah Senesh School within the Carroll Gardens community.
We are your neighbors. Let’s try to find a solution that works for all.
We hope that we hear from you very soon.
Sincerely,
XXX
(Sign your name here)
EMAIL TO: info@hannahsenesh.org
MAIL: 342 SMITH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11231
Fax:718-858-7190
In our new state of the art facility we now have the physical space to grow in ways that were not previously possible. Dedicated spaces for technology, science, art, music, physical activity, and prayer, have made our already-strong programs even stronger.
Nicole Nash, Hannah Senesh principal
In June 2007, we moved to a beautiful, new home on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. This spacious facility offers 22,000 square feet of space, which provides us with many opportunities to grow creatively and programmatically. A full-size gym, library with computer stations, science lab, beit midrash, rooftop playground, and art room are just some of the wonderful new spaces you’ll find at Hannah Senesh.
In 2005, Hannah Senesh Day School bought the former School Board 15 District office at 342 Smith Street from developer Bill Stein. The structure shares the same building lot as Bill Stein's 360 Smith Street development. When Stein sold the property to Hannah Senesh Day School, he kept the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for himself and transferred it to his 360 Smith Street development to get extra height. He also used the school's Community Facility Bonus and used that to bulk up his building as well. So in fact, Hannah Senesh willingly agreed to buy a building that had VERY LIMITED POSSIBILITY TO EXPAND and signed an agreement that places a meriad number of restrictions on the building.
(click here to see Acris site page 6 onward)
Also attached to the agreement between Bill Stein and Hannah Senesh Day School is a clause that would give Bill Stein half of any F.A.R. gained by an up-zoning of the lot.
Now, Hannah Senesh wants to expand "to give the school some flexibility." Since the building has no F.A.R. left, the school community is hoping to buy the courtyard next to it on First Place in order to construct a two story addition. The only problem is that the signature courtyards in Carroll Gardens are publicly-owned and are protected by a 150-year-old law. The law states that the courtyards can not be used for parking, nor can they be built on.
What to do?
Hannah Senesh claims that the school is just "exploring the possibility of expansion." However, the board hired lobbyist Ken Fisher as early as 2008, a mere 6 months after moving into their new facility. Fisher was paid $7,500 to lobby city officials on the school's behalf for the "acquisition of a lot currently owned by the city of New York" Now, surely, you do not need to hire a lobbyist if you merely want to explore the possibility. You hire a lobbyist to SELL an expansion.
Out-going Councilman Bill De Blasio was more than willing to help out. Without community input, he intended to introduce a bill which would have altered the old law to exempt the courtyard on First Place at Smith Street, thereby paving the way for Hannah Senesh to then buy the city-owned land.
When Carroll Gardeners found out, they were outraged and felt betrayed. How could our councilman abuse his power in such a way in order to facilitate this shameful land grab?
At a meeting with the community on Monday, December 7th, Amy Glosser, Vice-Chair of the school's Board Of Directors, stated that the school had no plans to increase their enrollment. "This is about making the school better, not about making it bigger."
